MOSCOW, March 15, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Russia and Ukraine downed enemy drones and
rockets overnight as polling stations opened across Russia on the first day
of voting in the presidential election.

Kyiv has launched some of its largest air attacks on Russia this week ahead
of the vote, which is set to hand President Vladimir Putin another six-year
term in the Kremlin.

Ukraine's air force said Russia fired 27 Iranian-style drones and eight
missiles at its territory overnight.

In a statement on social media, it said: "27 out of 27 Shaheds were
destroyed."

Russia's defence ministry said it intercepted five Ukrainian drones and two
rockets over the Belgorod border region and the Kaluga region, southwest of
Moscow.

Polling stations were opening across Russia's 11 time zones on Friday, as
Putin acknowledged a day earlier that the country was facing a "difficult
period."

"We have already shown that we can be together, defending the freedom,
sovereignty and security of Russia ... Today it is critically important not
to stray from this path," Putin said Thursday in a video message broadcast on
state TV.