MOSCOW: Russian air defences shot down at least three Ukrainian drones over western regions of Russia on Sunday, the defence ministy said.

Two drones were shot down over Belgorod region and another over the Kursk region, the defence ministry said.

Drone air strikes deep inside Russia have increased since a drone was destroyed over the Kremlin in early May.

Civilian areas of the capital were hit later in May and a Moscow business district was targeted twice in three days earlier this month.