‘Human safari’: The chilling escalation of Russia’s drone warfare in Kherson

Russian forces have dramatically escalated their use of drone-dropped munitions in Kherson, described by locals as a “human safari”.

People, animals and vehicles are among those targeted by drones in Ukraine’s Kherson City and neighbouring suburb, Antonivka, according to a new report released today by CIR’s Eyes on Russia project. 

Between July and October 2024, CIR verified 88 such incidents and has established the locations of anti-personnel mines likely dropped by Russian drone operators. 

Almost all incidents verified by CIR took place in an area declared a no-go “red zone” by multiple pro-Russian Telegram channels. One channel posted that movement of motor vehicles within the zone “will be considered a legitimate target”. Another channel that posted the “red zone” calls itself the “HABR Team” and claims to be part of the Russian Military, though CIR could not independently verify this.

Since Russia’s November 2022 retreat from the right bank of the Dnipro River, Kherson City and towns along the river’s right bank have been shelled almost daily by Russian forces.

Drone attacks have surged in recent months. Kherson City’s military administration recently told the BBC they had recorded more than 5000 Russian drone attacks between July and October 2024, while the Kyiv Post cited 3000 incidents for September alone. 

According to CIR’s analysis, 68 of the 88 incidents involve the targeting of what appear to be non-military vehicles, including trucks, cars, buses, and ambulances. In 15 of the 88 incidents, individuals who appeared to be unarmed and wearing civilian attire were targeted, though CIR could not independently verify whether these individuals were civilian or military.

Drone operators often drop explosives “on or next to a vehicle just as someone exits it”, Adam Campbell, a CIR investigator said. “This technique is likely being practised in Kherson to be replicated on the front line”, he added.

CIR investigators suggest it is a “possibility” that Russian units on the right bank of the Dnipro River may be using civilians in Kherson City and Antonivka as targets for “live training exercises” according to the recent report. 

A joint investigation between CIR and investigative journalists at DW recently noted a similar trend in Beryslav – a small city on the Dnipro River’s western bank – where drone attacks appeared to systematically target civilian buildings and vehicles in an attempt to hinder movement near the frontline.

Cyclists, dogs and schools hit

One clip verified by CIR shows a Russian drone operator dropping an explosive on a dog as it approaches a vehicle. In another, a dog, an unarmed person, and a car parked in a driveway are hit by a drone strike. 

A cyclist on a deserted road barely dodges an explosive dropped by a drone before frantically pedalling to escape, another CIR-verified video shows. A mother-of-two from Kherson was also reportedly targeted while cycling. She says she is now unable to walk after shrapnel from a grenade embedded in her leg.

In another video, after dropping an explosive on a car, a drone operator stalks a person as they run for their life, taking cover under trees and scaling garden fences in a desperate bid to escape.

CIR also verified multiple drone hits on civilian infrastructure, including two schools and two electrical substations. 

As Ukraine braces for another winter of conflict, attacks on critical energy infrastructure are consistent with previous years, where Russian forces have likely timed sabotage to cause maximum disruption as colder weather sets in.

Mining residential areas

As well as appearing to directly target civilians with drones, CIR has found that Russian forces are likely using them to disperse PFM-1 “petal” anti-personnel mines throughout Kherson City and Antonivka. 

These lightweight mines resemble fallen leaves and require as little as five kilograms of pressure to detonate. Children can easily set them off by handling or treading on them, as in the October 2023 case of a 14-year-old from Kharkiv who lost his lower leg after accidentally detonating a PFM-1 mine while running errands. 

The same HABR Team Telegram channel that declared the no-go “red zone” also shared footage of PFM-1 mines being strapped to a drone. CIR could not verify that the HABR Team were responsible for scattering PFM-1 mines throughout residential areas in Kherson, but assesses this is likely due to an additional HABR post showing a Ukrainian military vehicle driving over mines before being targeted by a drone.

CIR’s analysis builds on increasing reports by Kherson authorities and locals of indiscriminate targeting within the “red zone” declared by pro-Russian Telegram channels. If this “red zone” is found to be associated with Russian military units, such targeting could constitute a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

CIR investigators continue to work to verify emerging incidents.