Russia's President Vladimir Putin has told his top security officials to prevent "ill-wishers" from attempting to destabilize their country.

Putin convened the Kremlin's Security Council on Friday following a series of shelling and drone attacks in Russia's western regions bordering Ukraine.

Local authorities say buildings were damaged in Kursk, and two villages were attacked in Bryansk. They also say a bombardment in Belgorod from Thursday to Friday left two people dead and several others injured.

Two domestic groups of self-claimed anti-Putin fighters say they were involved in the attacks.

Ukrainian Air Force officials say they have successfully fended off a barrage of attacks from Russia. They claim to have downed all 21 Iranian-made drones and 15 cruise missiles fired overnight toward Kyiv and other areas.

The British Defence Ministry said on Friday that the Russian commanders must now choose whether to strengthen defenses on home soil, or reinforce their lines in Ukraine.