Moscow, Dec 17 : The Russian air defence downed 33 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday.

Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, and grain infrastructure since July when Moscow pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraine's exports to reach African countries facing the threat of hunger.

The air force said in a statement that the Russian forces also launched several C-300 missiles during an overnight attack in the eastern Donetsk region, close to the frontline.

Reuters was not immediately able to independently confirm details of the damage.