MOSCOW — Russian forces shot down 596 Ukrainian drones during the night, the defence ministry said Wednesday, a day after President Vladimir Putin held talks with his US counterpart on ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

 

The attacks left four people dead, including a child, in Novorossiysk in the southern Krasnodar region, governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram.

 

"Our military repelled a massive overnight enemy drone attack against the region, with Novorossiysk hit the hardest," he said.

 

Putin spoke with US leader Donald Trump by telephone on Tuesday, with Washington pushing for face-to-face talks between Russia and Ukraine.

 

Kyiv has said the talks could happen this month, but the Kremlin has said it is "too early" to discuss a venue or dates.