The Ukrainian capital Kyiv returned to the forefront of military escalation early Tuesday, after Russia launched a new ballistic missile attack targeting the city, a development that came hours after Ukraine's allies in Paris announced an initiative to bolster its defensive capabilities.

Ukrainian authorities reported activating air defense systems after sirens sounded, while several explosions rang out across the capital as Kyiv came under a ballistic missile attack.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said air defenses repelled the attack, noting that fires broke out in the Holosiivskyi district in the south of the city, while local authorities confirmed fires in at least two areas due to falling missile debris.

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An AFP correspondent reported hearing six successive explosions in the capital minutes after the sirens sounded.

The attack came shortly after a meeting of leaders from more than 35 countries within the 'coalition of the willing' in Paris, where participants pledged to strengthen Ukraine's air defense systems and increase military support for Kyiv, in an attempt to counter the escalating Russian strikes.

The latest attack reflects the continued field escalation between Moscow and Kyiv, despite Western efforts to increase military support for Ukraine and pressure Russia to end the war that has been ongoing for more than four years.