Vladimir Putin has been forced to shut four Moscow airports as Ukraine launched hundreds of drones towards the Russian capital in a fourth successive blitz.
In the past five days, Ukraine has launched 392 drones towards Russia, including 142 yesterday, with 27 directed at Moscow, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
Hundreds of passenger aircrafts were forced to divert with authorities having to close airspace over Moscow twice, impacting Zhukovsky, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said emergency crews arrived in the Russian capital to assist in downing drones, but did not mention the amount of damage caused.
Telegram
|Some cars caught fire in the Russian capital
Residents in the suburban town of Zelenograd reported hearing explosions, with some buildings sustaining damage.
Two cars also caught fire, reportedly due to debris from a downed drone.
The attacks come as both Russia and Ukraine discuss the possibility of resuming peace talks next week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday that Kyiv has sent Moscow an offer to hold another round of talks next week.
Telegram
|Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Moscow's airports
In his evening address, the Ukrainian President said the pace of negotiations needed to be increased and "everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin is ready to achieve a peace settlement once Moscow has achieved its main objectives.
Peskov stated: "President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy.
"The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear."
REUTERS/GETTY
|Putin and Zelensky have said peace talks will resume as Donald Trump encourages the two parties to speed things along
Peskov said the world has become used to US President Donald Trump's "harsh" rhetoric, but notes that he continues to search for a peace deal with Moscow.
At the start of the week, Trump pushed for a tougher stance on Russia and pledged a new wave of military aid to Ukraine.
The US President issued a 50 day deadline to agree a ceasefire or Moscow would face additional sanctions.
Trump said that he is "very unhappy" with Russia, adding that the US is "going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal".