Russia said it downed hundreds of Ukrainian drones launched at its territory overnight, hours ahead of critical talks between officials from Washington and Kyiv.

KYIV (Reuters) - Russia launched air strikes overnight on Kyiv, with air defence systems engaged in repelling the attack, Ukrainian authorities said late on Monday. "Air defence forces are working to eliminate the threat in the skies over Kyiv," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging app.

The front line inside Ukraine has become more static, Ukrainian soldiers say, even as Russia regains ground in its own Kursk region.