MOSCOW/KYIV — At least 14 people were killed on Sunday as Russia and Ukraine exchanged a new wave of drone and missile attacks, highlighting the continued escalation of the nearly four-and-a-half-year conflict despite stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war.
According to officials from both countries, Ukrainian strikes killed at least nine people in Russia, while Russian attacks claimed the lives of at least five civilians in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Strikes Leave Nine Dead in Russia
Russian authorities said Ukrainian drone attacks targeted multiple regions across the country, causing civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.
In Russia’s Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, four people were killed, including a 13-year-old girl who was fatally injured near a playground after a drone strike, according to Acting Governor Alexander Shuvaev.
A separate Ukrainian drone attack in the Saratov region killed two people after striking a residential building, regional Governor Roman Busargin confirmed. The attack also damaged civilian infrastructure in the cities of Engels and Saratov, both of which have been frequent targets due to their strategic military and industrial importance.
In Russia’s Udmurt Republic, authorities reported that three civilians were killed and two others injured after a Ukrainian drone struck a civilian vehicle. Acting regional head Olga Abramova described the attack as a “monstrous” act, saying the victims had no military connection.
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Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones also targeted industrial facilities and another warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, in the Samara region. Local officials reported a fire at the site but said there were no casualties.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated that its air defence systems intercepted 635 Ukrainian drones overnight, including drones over occupied Crimea and the Black Sea. The ministry did not disclose how many drones successfully reached their targets.
Russian Attacks Kill Five in Ukraine
In Ukraine, Russian missile, drone and guided bomb attacks continued across several regions.
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Regional officials reported that two civilians were killed in the Dnipropetrovsk region, while one person each died in the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
In the Kharkiv region, a Russian strike destroyed a Nova Poshta postal terminal, killing one postal worker and causing significant damage to the facility.
Later on Sunday, additional Russian attacks on the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv resulted in further civilian casualties and property destruction.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 133 drones overnight, of which 24 successfully hit their intended targets.
Civilian Casualties Continue to Rise
The latest exchange of attacks reflects the growing intensity of the war, with both sides expanding long-range drone operations deep into each other’s territory.
According to recent United Nations data, civilian casualties in Ukraine have risen sharply during the first half of 2026 as Russia has increased its use of long-range missiles that are difficult to intercept.
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Ukraine has simultaneously intensified drone operations against military, energy and industrial facilities inside Russia, saying the campaign is intended to pressure Moscow into meaningful peace negotiations.
However, both Moscow and Kyiv continue to deny deliberately targeting civilians.
US-led diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II have remained largely stalled in recent months, leaving little immediate prospect for a negotiated settlement.
