Russian air defence units shot down eight Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow late on Sunday, from a total of 90 overnight over Russian territory, the Black Sea and the Crimean peninsula, the defence ministry said.

Ukraine said it struck a Russian air base on Saturday, while Russia continued to attack Ukraine with hundreds of drones overnight as part of a stepped-up bombing campaign that has dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than 3-year-old war.

Russia and Ukraine struck each other with hundreds of drones on Sunday, throwing Russian air travel into disarray days after Moscow launched its largest aerial assault in the three-year-old war. Photos circulating on social media showed crowds huddling at Russian airports including key international hubs in Moscow and St Petersburg,