The liberated Ukrainian city of Kherson is enduring a daily reign of terror, as Russian forces systematically use drones to hunt civilians in what locals have chillingly dubbed a 'human safari'.
A City Under Siege from the Sky
Despite being retaken by Ukrainian forces, the southern region of Kherson remains on the frontline of a brutal new form of warfare. Russian troops are extensively deploying short-range, first-person view (FPV) drones not to target military positions, but to pursue and attack civilians, vehicles, and even animals. This campaign of intimidation and violence is creating widespread fear and causing significant casualties among the local population.
The Staggering Scale of the Attacks
The commander of Ukraine's 310th Separate Marine Electronic Warfare Battalion has provided shocking data on the intensity of these assaults. Approximately 300 drones are directed towards Kherson every single day. The month of October 2025 alone saw around 9,000 drone incursions. While Ukrainian defences successfully neutralise over 90% of these threats, the relentless nature of the attacks means many still get through.
The human cost is devastating. Since July 2024, these attacks have resulted in over 200 civilian deaths and 2,000 injuries across three southern Ukrainian regions. Hospitals in the area are now routinely treating victims with blast injuries on a daily basis, stemming from both shelling and these precision drone strikes.
International Condemnation as Crimes Against Humanity
The severity of the situation has drawn formal condemnation from the highest international bodies. The United Nations' Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has concluded that these deliberate attacks on civilians amount to crimes against humanity. Their report specifically cites murder and forcible transfer among the grave violations being committed. This legal designation underscores the systematic and widespread nature of the violence, marking it as one of the most disturbing aspects of the ongoing conflict.
The terror inflicted by these drones has fundamentally altered daily life in Kherson. The simple act of moving through the city has become a life-threatening gamble, as civilians are hunted from the sky with ruthless efficiency.
