Russian air defence systems destroyed or intercepted 71 Ukrainian drones over six Russian regions overnight, Russia’s Defence Ministry said today.

Most of the drones were downed in Kursk region, others in Oryol, Ryazan, Bryansk, Vladimir and Tula regions.

Earlier, two of  United States (US) President Donald Trump’s top national security aides said they planned to hold talks in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday as America and Europe search for common ground on ending the Ukraine war and averting an Iran conflict.

The two advisers, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, are expected to hear European concerns about Russia amid US attempts to arrange an elusive ceasefire in Ukraine, three years after Russia invaded its neighbour.

Trump’s frustration with Russia and Ukraine over the ongoing bloodshed between them has been growing and he has been threatening military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Related video| Russian Defence Ministry says it foiled a Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow: