The overnight attack was one of the largest on Ukraine and included strikes in the western part of the country, which is hit less often.

The air force said 436 drones and 38 missiles were downed by air defenses, with the help of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets whose pilots shot down "dozens" of attack drones. "The work of Ukrainian fighters is extremely dangerous," it said.

Ukraine destroyed three Russian attack helicopters in its latest blow to Moscow’s air power, Kyiv has claimed.