In brief
A Ukrainian street vegetable vendor, Yuriy, survived an air strike in Kherson that left him with shrapnel cuts and a concussion. The attack—shown by President Volodymyr Zelensky in a BBC‑posted video—belongs to the so‑called ‘human safari’ tactic, whereby drones are employed to terrorise civilian populations near the front. Russia denies aggression against civilians, but military experts cite recorded footage as evidence of a deliberate campaign to frighten and disrupt local communities. This incident underscores the dangerous convergence of tactical warfare and civilian security in the ongoing clash, while prompting international debate over the legality and ethics of such drone operations.
A 52‑year‑old street vegetable vendor in the city of Kherson was hit by a Russian‑operated drone that exploded near his stalls, according to a video shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The man, identified by BBC investigators as Yuriy, sustained shrapnel wounds and a concussion, but managed to escape serious injury.
Experts say the incident is part of a broader strategy referred to by locals as a ‘human safari’, where unmanned aerial vehicles are used to target civilians in order to sow terror and destabilise communities close to the front lines. The drone’s attack makes it clear that civilians are becoming a direct focus of hostilities, despite international rules of engagement that prohibit such targeting.
Russia repeatedly denies that it intentionally attacks civilians. It claims any drone activity is aimed at military objectives, but the stark footage from Kherson suggests otherwise.
The BBC’s Paul Adams, reporting from Kyiv, provided detailed context on the incident and the ongoing use of drones in the conflict.
