Authorities say Russian drones have slammed into two Ukrainian cities, killing at least one person in nighttime attacks.

Russia's overnight drone assault targeted the southern Ukraine port city of Odesa and the northeastern city of Kharkiv, hitting apartment blocks, officials said. The barrage of more than 20 drones injured almost two dozen civilians, including girls aged 12 and 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Russian drone strikes have killed three people and wounded 60, including children, in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, officials say. The city, just 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Russian border, bore the brunt of Russia’s latest aerial assault early on Wednesday, with 17 drones striking two residential areas, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.