A shocking incident captured on video has emerged from southern Ukraine, showing a Russian drone relentlessly pursuing a street vendor in what has been described as a “human safari” attack. The distressing footage, shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, highlights the brutal tactics employed by Russian forces against civilians, raising urgent calls for international scrutiny and condemnation.
The Disturbing Incident
In a harrowing display of aerial aggression, the drone targeted a street vendor identified as Yuriy, a 52-year-old seller of vegetables in the Kherson region. The footage illustrates Yuriy desperately attempting to evade the drone, which hovers menacingly above him as he runs around a white van. Ultimately, the drone descends, detonating upon impact and leaving Yuriy with multiple shrapnel injuries, concussion, and significant trauma.
Zelensky emphasised the need for the world to witness such acts, stating, “The world must see this… every fact that Russian soldiers are enjoying killings and tormenting people.” His remarks underline the gravity of the situation, as the use of drones against civilians has become a worrying strategy for Russian forces, aimed at instilling fear among the populace near the front lines.
A Systematic Approach to Terror
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the drone attack as a “barbaric war crime,” labelling these so-called “safari” attacks as a deliberate and systematic tactic employed by Russian troops. He asserted that the drone operator was fully aware of the civilian nature of the target, indicating a chilling intent behind such actions. Sybiha called for immediate international condemnation, urging global leaders to take a stand against these heinous acts.
The regional governor of Kherson later shared a video of Yuriy from his hospital bed, where he recounted the moments leading up to the attack. As he and his wife began setting up their vegetable stall, the distinct buzzing of the drone overhead alerted them. While his wife managed to escape, the drone focused on Yuriy, who attempted to communicate his non-threatening intentions by displaying his produce. “It even ducked under the umbrella when I was running away,” he recalled, showcasing both the absurdity and horror of the encounter.
The Broader Context of Drone Warfare
This incident is not isolated; it forms part of a larger pattern of drone warfare employed by Russian forces in Kherson and other frontline areas. A 2025 UN report highlighted the recurrent use of drones by Russian troops to target civilians, resulting in deaths and injuries. The disturbing reality is compounded by the widespread sharing of these videos online, allowing viewers to witness the final moments of victims as they face unimaginable terror.
BBC Verify has traced the origins of the video to a market in the Tavriiskyi district of northern Kherson, although the identity of the individual who filmed the
