MOSCOW, Dec 3 (Reuters) - In a renewed escalation of tensions, the Russian defence ministry announced on Sunday that Russian forces have struck a fortified commander post of Ukraine's "East" air defence and alerting centre in the central city of Dnipro. The military operation is reported to have involved combined strikes by operational-tactical and army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missile forces, and artillery.

Earlier on Sunday, Ukraine's air force revealed that Russia had launched a total of 12 drones and a cruise missile at various targets across Ukraine overnight. However, Ukraine's air defence systems were successful in intercepting and destroying 10 drones before they reached their intended destinations.

The Russian defence ministry, in its daily dispatch, further stated that additional targets were hit during the operation. This includes fuel depots in the areas of Myrhorod in the Poltava region and the city of Khmelnytskyi, an ammunition arsenal in the Mykolaiv region, and manpower and equipment in 107 various districts.

The latest escalation comes amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements. The Dnipro attack serves as a bold assertion of Russian military capabilities, as it targeted a key facility within Ukraine's air defence infrastructure.

As this situation continues to develop, international observers are closely monitoring the situation and expressing concerns over the potential for further escalation. The Ukrainian government has called for urgent talks and international intervention to address the aggression by Russian forces.

The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting in the coming days to discuss the escalating conflict and explore possible diplomatic solutions. The global community awaits a decisive response to defuse the situation and prevent further bloodshed.

Given the intensity of the attacks and their targeted nature, it is imperative that both sides exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution. Dialogue and diplomacy remain key to finding a path towards stability and security in the region.