Russia’s Drone “Human Safari” Campaign

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Russian forces are conducting a systematic “human safari” against Ukrainian civilians in Kherson, using commercially available drones to hunt innocent people like prey.

Story Highlights

Russian military systematically hunts civilians with commercial drones in deliberate war crimes campaign
500 civilians injured and 30 killed in Kherson between May-December 2024, with drone attacks accounting for 70% of casualties
Population of targeted neighborhoods decreased by 50% as terror campaign achieves forced displacement objectives
Operators use high-resolution feeds to track victims for extended periods, proving deliberate intent to terrorize

Systematic Terror Campaign Against Innocent Civilians

Russian military forces have weaponized everyday commercial drones—originally designed for photography—into instruments of terror against Ukrainian civilians in Kherson. The campaign spans from May 2024 through January 2025, with documented attacks in the residential neighborhoods of Antonivka and Dniprovskyi. Human Rights Watch investigators analyzed 83 videos of attacks posted to Russian military Telegram channels, confirming the deliberate nature of these war crimes against non-combatants.

The attacks demonstrate clear violations of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions’ prohibition on targeting civilians. Russian operators maintain visual contact with victims through high-resolution video feeds, tracking individuals engaged in ordinary activities like walking, cycling, or using public transportation. This prolonged surveillance proves the attacks are intentional rather than accidental, constituting deliberate war crimes designed to terrorize and demoralize the civilian population.

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Devastating Impact on Community and Infrastructure

The drone terror campaign has achieved its apparent objective of forced displacement through systematic targeting of essential services. Healthcare facilities, ambulances, grocery stores, and utilities have been deliberately attacked, creating humanitarian crises. Between May and December 2024, Antonivka’s population decreased by approximately 50 percent as residents fled the constant threat. Ambulance personnel can no longer respond to emergency calls in targeted areas due to fear of drone attacks.

Commercial drone manufacturers including DJI, Autel, and Sudoplatov find their products weaponized with internationally prohibited antipersonnel landmines. The campaign has resulted in approximately 500 civilian injuries and 30 fatalities according to local authorities, with the United Nations confirming that drone attacks account for 70 percent of civilian casualties in Kherson as of January 2025. Essential services including water, electricity, and gas have been disrupted through systematic infrastructure targeting.

"How Russian Drones Targeting Civilians Are Turning One Ukrainian City Into a ‘Human Safari'" https://t.co/Ypjg2WVeFY

— QI 181 (@QI_181) November 28, 2025

International Accountability and Legal Violations

The systematic nature of these attacks constitutes multiple violations of international law, including crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. Human Rights Watch emphasizes that drone operators track targets with high-resolution feeds, “leaving little doubt that the intent is to kill, maim, and terrify civilians.” The integration of prohibited antipersonnel mines into drone delivery systems violates the Mine Ban Treaty, while targeting healthcare facilities violates the Geneva Conventions’ protections for medical personnel and infrastructure.

The campaign represents a dangerous precedent for future conflicts, demonstrating how inexpensive commercial technology can be adapted for systematic civilian targeting. Russian military sources have brazenly posted attack videos to social media channels, indicating institutional acknowledgment and approval of these war crimes.