Russian air defences downed 17 drones in six Russian regions over a period of nearly 2-1/2 hours late on Friday, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
A ministry statement said drones had been downed over three regions bordering Ukraine -- Bryansk, Belgorod and Voronezh -- as well as in Smolensk region in western Russia, Tver region in central Russia and the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.
The incidents took place, the ministry said, between 8:05 and 10:30 p.m. Moscow time (1705-1930 GMT).
