Several explosions were heard on Friday morning in the Ukrainian capital, while Moscow mayor said on Friday morning that Russian air defense shot down 10 Ukrainian drones.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported Friday that Russia launched drones and cruise missiles targeting the Kiev city, with additional strikes aimed at Lviv, Lutsk, and other regions in western Ukraine.
Several Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bombers were reported taking off early Friday morning, likely responsible for deploying the cruise missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Friday morning said on his Telegram channel that Russian air defense system have shot down 10 drones targeting the city.
Meanwhile, governors of Russia's Saratov Oblast and Bryansk Oblast also reported drone attacks, respectively, on Friday and Thursday night.
Explosions heard in Kiev, air defense system downs 10 drones in Moscow
Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.
As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.
Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.
A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.
Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.
"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.
The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.
At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.
Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal
