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The United Nations has confirmed what residents of Kherson – and Byline Times – revealed nearly a year ago: Russia’s drone attacks on civilians were systematic, premeditated and intended to instil terror and forcibly displace the population.
“In the port city of Kherson, drones patrol the skies, hovering over devastated coastal suburbs and villages, searching for an old lady with a bucket here or a teenager on a bicycle there – to eliminate by dropping explosives,” Byline Times reported on 29 July 2024, the first international publication to identify the use of drones in this way as a potential war crime.
“It’s a human safari,” said Tatiana, a resident of the Vostochny district.
Eyewitnesses such as Tamara and her neighbours described drones circling overhead and dropping grenades on pedestrians. Their testimonies, gathered by Byline Times, were the first to document these attacks as part of a broader campaign of terror.
Now, following three months of investigation between March and May 2025, the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has concluded that the Russian military committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Kherson region. The Commission found that Russian forces carried out attacks “with the primary purpose to spread terror among the civilian population, in violation of international humanitarian law”.
A senior practitioner at a Kherson hospital is quoted in the report:
“Russian Federation soldiers behave like this is a safari […]; they are simply chasing and hunting civilians who are on their way to work or walking their dogs. They drop explosives from drones like it is a video game.”
Russian Drones are Hunting Civilians in Kherson: ‘They see you and They Target you’
Estimates suggest that 50 people have been killed or injured in targeted drone attacks in the last two months, and left Kherson residents scared to leave their homes
Russian Telegram channels frequently post video footage from drone operators showing civilians being tracked, attacked and killed. One channel even boasts in its description: “We instil fear in the Kherson direction.” These videos – some with thousands of views – not only depict the crimes but are also accompanied by threats of further attacks.
The Commission determined that the use of drones to target civilians and civilian infrastructure represents a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on anything other than military objectives. The evidence leaves no ambiguity as to the intent of the perpetrators. Russian forces, the report states, committed the war crime of deliberately directing attacks against civilians in Kherson province.
The Commission further concluded that posting videos of such attacks amounts to the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity. More than 120 videos have already been geolocated and verified by investigative teams, offering undeniable proof of deliberate targeting.
This marks the first official confirmation of Russia’s use of low-cost civilian drones – such as FPV and Mavic models – in a campaign to terrorise and depopulate areas. The attacks are described as “systematic”, “planned and organised”, and reflective of “organisational policy”.
The Commission also found that these actions may amount to the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population. Thousands of residents have fled under the threat of drone attacks, with homes, infrastructure and emergency services repeatedly targeted. In many areas, the destruction has rendered life unsustainable. The pattern of attacks, combined with their scale and impact, suggests a coordinated policy by Russian authorities to forcibly displace the civilian population
The Commission has expressed interest in investigating further violations in Ukraine, including in Nikopol and the Sumy region. However, it faces real-time challenges, including lack of access to affected areas and limited resources, which constrain both the scope and depth of investigations. The Commission does not rely solely on open-source material, but also conducts on-the-ground investigations where possible.
Legal Implications and Accountability
Under international humanitarian law, the war in Ukraine is classified as an international armed conflict. This legal framework prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects, and requires all parties to distinguish at all times between civilian and military targets. Disproportionate or indiscriminate attacks are banned. Combatants must take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians.
Individuals who commit serious violations with criminal intent may be prosecuted for war crimes. Military commanders may also be held responsible if they knew, or should have known, about the crimes and failed to prevent them or punish the perpetrators.
“The material we are gathering and collecting is made available to any judicial institutions that may pursue this – whether international or national. As you know, such proceedings are already ongoing. While this is not part of our mandate, it is relevant for other entities and prosecutors.
“The Commission of Inquiry is tasked with establishing the facts on the ground, drawing conclusions as to whether there are violations and crimes, and then making recommendations,” said Erik Møse, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.