MOSCOW, Dec 14, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Russia said Thursday that its air defence systems had downed nine Ukrainian drones headed towards the capital, hours ahead of a highly anticipated news conference from President Vladimir Putin.

"On-duty air defence units destroyed and intercepted nine Ukrainian UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of the Kaluga and Moscow regions," the defence ministry said in a statement blaming Kyiv for the attack.