Ukraine struck Russian regions with a major drone and missile attack overnight, damaging at least two factories and forcing schools to close in a major southern Russian city, according to Russian officials and media.

Flight restrictions were imposed at five airports in Russia after Ukraine unleashed an attack reportedly with more than 200 drones and ballistic missiles. Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region in western Russia, said Ukraine had launched a major missile attack but did not say which missiles had been used.

Russia says it has detected a shift from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his team towards recognising the "realities" on the ground in Ukraine, and sees this as a welcome sign as it prepares to study his plan for ending the war.

Trump says he will meet Putin after his inauguration, citing Putin's disappointment with the Ukraine war. Trump's national security advisor anticipates a call between the two leaders in the near future.