Ukrainian and Russian forces exchanged overnight drone strikes Sunday, with each side deploying hundreds of unmanned aircraft in attacks that killed at least three people and damaged military and civilian infrastructure.

Russian drone strikes on Ukrainian territory killed at least two people, including a 16-year-old boy in Chernihiv and a man in Kherson whose van was hit by a drone in the city center. Ukrainian air force officials reported that Russia launched 236 drones into Ukrainian territory, of which 203 were intercepted while 32 struck targets across 18 locations. The attacks damaged residential buildings, setting several houses on fire.

Ukraine conducted a retaliatory strike on the Atlant Aero drone factory in Taganrog, Russia, located approximately 55 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The facility produces strike and reconnaissance drones, as well as components for larger unmanned vehicles capable of carrying guided bombs weighing up to 250 kilograms. Ukrainian forces reported the attack sparked fires at the factory, while Russian officials said three people were injured in the strike on commercial infrastructure.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 274 Ukrainian drones during the overnight period, along with guided aerial bombs and a Neptune missile, though it did not specify how many Ukrainian drones reached their targets. The strikes damaged warehouses, commercial enterprises, a vocational school, and multiple vehicles in Taganrog.

The escalating use of unmanned aircraft represents a significant shift in the conflict, with both sides increasingly deploying drones for long-range strikes on military facilities and infrastructure. Ukrainian forces have demonstrated the ability to conduct drone operations at distances exceeding 500 kilometers from their positions, while Russia has expanded its use of unmanned systems for both reconnaissance and attack missions.

The drone warfare has extended beyond traditional military targets, with attacks affecting civilian infrastructure and residential areas. This development reflects the broader transformation of modern warfare, where unmanned systems play an increasingly central role in combat operations.