Russia has also started to launch fake drones, without any explosives, to confuse Ukraine’s air defence units and force them to waste ammunition. Compared to missiles they are much cheaper to build, easier to fire, and designed to sap morale.

Experts warn that Russia may be trying to deplete Ukraine's air defences in preparation for an attack on its energy system over the winter. Ukraine has also increased its use of long-range drones in recent weeks,

Russian drones attacked Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa overnight, killing one person and injuring 13 others, including two boys, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on Saturday.

Ukraine launched a drone attack on a Russian chemical plant in the western city of Tula overnight on Friday into Saturday, according to the country’s security service. Russian authorities have not acknowledged the attack.

Russia struck Kyiv with a sophisticated missile and drone attack for the first time in 73 days on Wednesday morning and damage is still being assessed, a top official in the Ukrainian capital said. Air raid warnings blared for hours.

Also on Monday, the Kremlin denied that President-elect Trump spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin last week.

The Russians launched a combined attack on Ukraine on the night of 12-13 November, firing cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 100 Shahed attack drones. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Quote: "In total,

Ukrainian air defences intercepted some of the missiles and drones after Moscow struck Kyiv and several other regions in the country on Wednesday.