Putin says Russia will bolster its air defenses against Ukraine's long-range drone strikes

Key points

• ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia will strengthen its air defenses to counter recent Ukrainian drone attacks, which have reached deep inside his country and cast a cloud over his showcase economic forum in his hometown of St. Petersburg.
• WATCH: As Russia pounds Ukrainian cities, Kyiv tries to turn the tide with battlefront innovation Speaking in response to a question from The Associated Press during a meeting with heads of international news agencies, Putin acknowledged the damage from Ukrainian drone attacks.
• "To our regret, some of them break through," Putin said of the drone strikes.
• "Russia has an air defense system, we need to improve it, strengthen it, and we will do that." The wide-ranging media session came on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, his annual showcase for investment.
• Hours before the forum opened Wednesday, a Ukrainian drone attack set...