In a chilling revelation that exposes the darkest aspects of modern warfare, Human Rights Watch has documented systematic Russia drone attacks deliberately targeting Ukrainian civilians in what survivors describe as “human safaris.” The comprehensive report, released on June 3, 2025, presents irrefutable evidence of Russian forces using commercially available drones to hunt, terrorize, and kill civilians in occupied territories, particularly in the southern city of Kherson.
This disturbing practice represents a significant escalation in the violation of international humanitarian law, with high-resolution video feeds from the drones themselves providing damning evidence of intentional targeting. The investigation, which analyzed 83 videos from Russian military-affiliated channels and interviewed 36 survivors, reveals a pattern of attacks that killed at least 30 civilians and injured 500 others between June and December 2024. These findings underscore the urgent need for international accountability mechanisms as the conflict enters its fourth year.
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Systematic Nature of Drone Terror
Human Rights Watch’s investigation reveals a calculated campaign of terror that goes far beyond collateral damage or military necessity. Russian drone operators, equipped with high-resolution video feeds, have been documented tracking and attacking civilians with precision that leaves no doubt about their intentions. The report details how these operators use commercially available quadcopter drones to pursue individuals going about their daily lives, turning the streets of Kherson into hunting grounds where civilians become prey.
The psychological impact of these attacks extends far beyond the immediate casualties. Residents live in constant fear, knowing that at any moment, the distinctive whirring of drone rotors could signal their final moments. This deliberate strategy of terror has transformed everyday activities like walking to the market or visiting healthcare facilities into life-threatening endeavors. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission’s finding that drone attacks account for 70 percent of civilian casualties in Kherson underscores the devastating effectiveness of this tactic.
Evidence of Deliberate Targeting
The evidence compiled by Human Rights Watch paints a damning picture of intentional war crimes. Through meticulous analysis of video footage uploaded to Russian military-affiliated Telegram channels, investigators identified at least 45 deliberate drone attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure between June and December 2024. These weren’t random incidents but rather a pattern of systematic targeting that included attacks on healthcare facilities, residential areas, and individuals clearly identifiable as non-combatants.
Belkis Wille, director on arms and conflict at HRW, emphasized the clarity of intent behind these attacks, stating that Russian drone operators can track their targets with high-resolution video feeds, leaving little doubt that the purpose is to kill, maim, and terrify civilians. The term “human safaris,” used by residents and officials in Kherson, captures the horrifying reality of operators treating civilian lives as sport, using advanced technology to hunt human beings for training or entertainment.
Documented Russia Drone Attacks on Ukrainian Civilians
| Period | Location | Civilian Deaths | Civilian Injuries | Verified Attacks | Primary Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June-Dec 2024 | Kherson | 30+ | 500+ | 45 | Healthcare facilities, residential areas |
| Jan 2025 | Kherson | Data pending | 70% of casualties | Ongoing | Civilian population |
| Total Documented | Multiple cities | 30+ confirmed | 500+ confirmed | 45+ verified | Civilians and civilian infrastructure |
The Technology of Terror
The investigation identified specific drone models being used in these attacks, including equipment manufactured by Chinese companies DJI and Autel, as well as drones from the Russian entity Sudoplatov, which describes itself as a “volunteer organization.” These commercially available drones, originally designed for photography, agriculture, and recreational use, have been weaponized and deployed against civilian populations in clear violation of international law.
The accessibility and affordability of these drones make them particularly insidious weapons of terror. Unlike traditional military equipment, these devices can be easily obtained, modified, and operated with minimal training. This democratization of aerial warfare technology has created new challenges for protecting civilian populations and enforcing international humanitarian law. The high-resolution cameras that make these drones valuable for legitimate purposes also enable operators to clearly identify their targets as civilians, eliminating any possibility of claiming mistaken identity.
International Response and Accountability
The Human Rights Watch report represents a crucial step in documenting war crimes for future accountability proceedings. The organization has called for the international community to support all avenues of accountability for victims of Russian war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. This documentation process is essential for building cases that could eventually be brought before international courts, including the International Criminal Court.
The systematic nature of these attacks, combined with the clear evidence of intent provided by the drone footage itself, creates a strong foundation for war crimes prosecutions. However, the challenge remains in translating documentation into meaningful accountability. The international community faces the difficult task of developing new legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to address the use of commercial technology for war crimes, while also ensuring that legitimate uses of drone technology aren’t unnecessarily restricted.
The Human Cost Beyond Numbers
While statistics provide a framework for understanding the scale of these attacks, they cannot capture the full human cost of this campaign of terror. Each number represents a life cut short, a family torn apart, or a community living in perpetual fear. Survivors describe the psychological trauma of never knowing when they might become targets, of hearing the approach of drones and wondering if they’re being hunted.
Healthcare facilities, which should be protected under international law, have been repeatedly targeted, creating a secondary crisis as civilians become afraid to seek medical care. This compounds the humanitarian disaster, as treatable injuries and illnesses go unaddressed due to fear of drone attacks. The targeting of medical infrastructure represents not just an attack on individuals but on the entire civilian support system that communities depend on for survival.
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FAQs
Q: What specific evidence did Human Rights Watch use to document these drone attacks?
A: Human Rights Watch compiled evidence from multiple sources including 83 videos uploaded to Russian military-affiliated Telegram channels, visual materials provided by witnesses and researchers, and interviews with 36 survivors and witnesses of attacks. The organization also analyzed high-resolution drone footage that clearly showed operators tracking and attacking civilians. This multi-source approach provided corroborating evidence that established a pattern of deliberate targeting over a six-month period from June to December 2024.
Q: What types of drones are being used in these attacks on civilians?
A: The investigation identified commercially available quadcopter drones manufactured by Chinese companies DJI and Autel, as well as drones from the Russian entity Sudoplatov. These are consumer-grade drones originally designed for photography, agriculture, and recreational purposes that have been weaponized. The drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that provide clear video feeds to operators, making it impossible for them to claim they didn’t know they were targeting civilians.
