ZOAHARIAN.COM - At least 12 people were killed and 34 others injured in Russian airstrikes that hit the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, overnight. The attack occurred when Ukraine faced limited air defense missiles to deal with Russian attacks.

Ukraine's State Emergency Service (DSNS) said a number of apartment blocks and warehouses in various areas of Kyiv suffered damage. Hospitals and children's school facilities were also reported to have been affected by the attacks.

The attack began around midnight local time after air raid warning sirens sounded across the city. Ukrainian authorities said around 20 Russian missiles hit several locations in Kyiv.

The explosions and attacks also caused power disruptions in thousands of properties. A number of areas in Kyiv experienced blackouts and were in darkness.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the loss of life showed the importance of additional air defense systems and missiles for Ukraine. According to him, limited air defense capabilities make Ukraine increasingly vulnerable to Russian missile attacks.

In his statement via Telegram, Zelensky emphasized that Russia would not seriously consider peace as long as Ukraine did not have adequate weapons to deal with ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the attack used air, land and sea-based weapons to hit Ukrainian military facilities and warehouses. Russia also claims to have shot down 726 Ukrainian drones.

The attacks did not only occur in Kyiv. In the wider Kyiv region, attacks in the Brovary and Boryspil districts killed one person and wounded seven others. In Donetsk Oblast, one person was reported killed and 11 others were injured, according to local officials.

The impact of the attacks was also felt in neighboring countries. Romania's Defense Ministry said a drone crossed its airspace near its northern border with Ukraine. The air warning sirens were activated before the drone crashed in an area said to be uninhabited.

The Polish military also said it had activated air defense operations as a measure to protect its airspace amid increasing attack activity in the region.

In recent weeks, Russia and Ukraine have both stepped up air strikes. The wave of attacks has caused dozens of casualties in both countries.

Ukraine has also stepped up attacks deep into Russian territory. At the weekend, Kyiv launched an attack it said involved around 600 drones and targeted the Moscow region.

Two separate attacks in Russia so far this week have reportedly killed at least 16 people, including a child.

Since July, Ukraine has also repeatedly targeted facilities belonging to Wildberries, one of Russia's largest online retailers. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said the latest attack left seven of the company's 10 logistics centers disrupted or disabled.

The series of attacks represents an escalation of the air war between Russia and Ukraine, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict still face major challenges.

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