Ukraine shot down 34 of 35 Russian drones launched in a major overnight attack, the air force said on Thursday.

“Russian occupiers attacked with ‘Shahed’ type UAVs from three directions: Chauda - occupied Crimea, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk,” it said, describing multiple waves of attacks coming throughout the night.

Air alerts in many Ukrainian regions in the centre, southeast and north lasted for hours. There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

Moscow has stepped up night-time drone attacks, with Ukraine warning that the Kremlin is targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Kyiv has reinforced its air defences with sophisticated weapons from its allies in the US and Europe.

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