Russia launched several waves of drones targeting Kyiv early on Monday, with air defence units successfully defending the city during the attack which lasted over five hours, Ukraine's military said.

Russian forces have now launched the highest number of drone strikes in a single month since the conflict began in February 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently blamed Western elites for provoking the Russia-Ukraine war, alleging that they prepared Ukraine’s military for conflict even before the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday vowed that Moscow would achieve all the goals it has set for itself in the ongoing war against Ukraine. "The truth is on our side. All goals set will be achieved,

The Russian president spoke in a video message as the Ukrainian air force said it had shot down drones and one missile launched by Russia

Putin appeared with an unexplained blotch on his forehead for an address marking the anniversary of his annexation of four Ukrainian regions.