LONDON -- Russia overnight launched a heavy air attack on Ukraine -- including striking Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles -- that killed at least six people, including two children.

European Union officials want to make a large loan to Ukraine backed by Russian state assets, but on Thursday, they deferred any clear decision on that plan to December.

Ukraine's president has urged the European Union to back a plan to release billions of euros in frozen Russian cash to help fund the country's defence. As EU leaders met in Brussels, Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped they would make a "positive decision" about using €140bn (£122bn) in Russian assets currently held in a Belgian clearing house.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever insists that his European partners must share the risk of using billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets that are held in his country to help keep Ukraine’s economy and war effort afloat in coming years.

Russia launched a large-scale air attack on Ukraine early Wednesday, causing power outages across most of the country, setting homes ablaze and killing at least six people, including a six-month-old baby,

Britain on Friday called for a raft of measures against Russia to strengthen Ukraine's hand ahead of any future peace talks, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy heads to London for discussions with key allies.

A series of explosions were reported overnight on Oct. 23 in the Russian city of Ryazan, with local residents suggesting a drone strike may have targeted the Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of Russia’s key fuel infrastructure facilities.