Russia continues its air strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on social media that attacks across five districts of the capital destroyed apartment buildings and other civilian structures, causing fires.
Klitschko said nine civilians were killed and more than 30 people injured, including four children. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the night as a 'hellish' one for Kyiv.
'Failing to achieve its objectives on the battlefield, Russia is stepping up its air attacks and terror against civilians. Ukraine urgently needs additional air and missile defense systems as well as interceptor missiles,' Sybiha said.
This marks the second major attack on Kyiv this week. On Thursday, airstrikes left nine civilians dead, including six members of the same family, in a village near Kryvyi Rih. A cruise missile suspected to be Russian also landed on Polish territory, according to reports.
Military analysts note that although Russia's advance has slowed this year, fighting remains intense along the more than 1,200-kilometer front line.