Ukraine and Russia trade overnight drone attacks, military officials say

LONDON -- Dozens of Russian drones were launched overnight in an attack targeting regions throughout Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.Seventy-two of the 76 Shahed drones that were launched were destroyed by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses, the Ukrainian air force said.The drones targeted regions throughout Ukraine, including Kyiv, the capital, officials said.At least two regions in Russia were also targeted overnight by Ukrainian drones, the Russian Ministry of Defense said early Saturday."Ten UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Kursk region and nine over the territory of the Belgorod region by air defense systems on duty," the ministry said on Telegram.The Spasskaya tower of the Kremlin and St.

Basil's Cathedral are seen at the sunset in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept.13, 2024.Pavel Bednyakov/APThe overnight launches between Ukraine and Russia followed talks on Friday in Washington, where President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed possibly lifting restrictions on the use of some Western weapons that could be used by Ukraine to strike deeper within Russia.MORE: UK's Starmer, Biden discuss Ukraine's use of deep-strike missiles inside RussiaA decision on whether to ease those restrictions, which Starmer described as a "particular tactical strategy," was not announced following the meeting.Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said allowing such long-range strikes would amount to NATO forces becoming "directly involved" in the war."If this decision is made, it will mean nothing short of direct involvement -- it will mean that NATO countries, the United States and European countries are parties to the war in Ukraine," Putin said, according to a transcript published by the Kremlin.

"This will mean their direct involvement in the conflict, and it will clearly change the very essence, the very nature of the conflict dramatically."Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials have long been pressing the U.S.and Western alli...