Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has released a video showing a Russian drone pursuing and striking a civilian in the southern city of Kherson. Zelenskyy described the incident as an example of a “drone safari” attack by Russian forces targeting civilians. The footage, shared on social media platform X, depicts a man attempting to evade a drone hovering overhead. He runs around his white van, seeking cover, but the drone relentlessly follows. The video culminates in the drone striking the man, causing an explosion and a small plume of smoke. Zelenskyy stated that this tactic, where Russia uses drones to hunt and attack civilians as if on a safari, is a deliberate strategy.
Details of the ‘Drone Safari’ Attack
The term “drone safari” refers to Russia’s alleged practice of using drones to track and attack civilians, likened to hunting. This type of violent tactic is reportedly employed by Russian forces to instill fear among residents in front-line areas of Ukraine. Fortunately, the 52-year-old civilian targeted in this particular incident, identified as Yuriy, sustained injuries that were described as relatively minor despite the explosion and shrapnel wounds. He also suffered a concussion.
President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the world witnessing these events, stating, “The world must see this. All the evidence that Russia has gone mad, and all the facts that Russian soldiers enjoy killing people and inflicting suffering.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba echoed these sentiments, calling the “safari” attacks a “systematic strategy” by Russia to terrorize civilians. He asserted that the drone operators are fully aware they are targeting civilians.
The Victim’s Account
Following the incident, the head of the Kherson regional administration released a video of Yuriy speaking from a hospital bed. Yuriy, who sells vegetables, recounted hearing a distinctive buzzing sound above him as he began unloading crates of produce next to his van with his wife. He stated that when his wife ran away, the drone turned its attention to him. He held up several bunches of parsley, attempting to show the drone operator that he had no reason to attack him, as he had already laid out tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants on the ground.
Despite his efforts, Yuriy explained that the drone continued to pursue him as he circled the vehicle and even followed him under the rear of the car. The drone eventually struck him.
Verification and Context
An examination of the video by the BBC confirmed that the location where the footage was filmed was a market stall near a crossroads in northern Kherson. However, the broadcaster could not independently verify who filmed the video or how it was recorded. Reports from The Independent suggest the video appeared on a local Telegram channel in Kherson before President Zelenskyy shared it, and was subsequently shared by local police.
Broader Implications and Previous Reports
A United Nations report from 2025 has documented Russia’s alleged commission of “war crimes” in the region by repeatedly targeting and injuring civilians with drones. The report details how Russian forces film drones approaching human targets and the moments of panic as victims attempt to flee, subsequently publishing these videos online, causing distress to thousands.
The Kherson region, in southern Ukraine, is a contested area with Ukrainian and Russian forces positioned on opposite banks of the Dnipro River. Russian forces are within range of Ukrainian artillery on the west bank, and drone attacks against civilians have been recurrent on the east bank, where Russia controls the territory.
Conclusion
The release of this harrowing video by President Zelenskyy highlights the ongoing concerns regarding Russia’s tactics in the Ukraine conflict. The “drone safari” incident, as described by Ukrainian officials, underscores allegations of systematic targeting of civilians and the psychological warfare employed through such attacks. The victim’s personal account adds a human dimension to the reported brutality, while independent and UN reports provide further context on the alleged war crimes. The situation in Kherson remains tense, with continued military confrontation along the Dnipro River.
