Disturbing Footage Spreads: Drone Attacks Civilian
Ukraine accuses Russia of war crime after video shows drone targeting street vendor in Kherson, as mutual attacks with civilian casualties continue.
Ukraine accuses Russia of war crime after video shows drone targeting street vendor in Kherson, as mutual attacks with civilian casualties continue.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Tuesday accused Russia of committing a war crime, following the release of disturbing video footage by Ukrainian police showing a drone deliberately attacking a civilian street vendor in the southern city of Kherson.
The footage shows a drone chasing an unidentified man in his 50s around a van serving as his stall. The man tries to take cover behind the vehicle, but the drone explodes right next to him. According to police, the vendor survived the attack but suffered shock and shrapnel injuries. Reuters confirmed the authenticity of the location by comparing it with satellite and archival images of buildings, road layouts, and vegetation.
In a Telegram post, Sybiha called the attack part of a deliberate Russian campaign to terrorize civilians. "This barbaric Russian war crime in Kherson demands international condemnation and justice, but thousands of similar crimes never come to light," the minister wrote. He added that the Russian drone pilot was fully aware he was targeting a civilian, calling him a "sadist." Sybiha also called for "a strong defense and deterrence package for Ukraine and reliable, guaranteed security."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also commented on the incident on X, noting that many were shocked today by yet another video of a "drone safari" that Russians are conducting against civilians in Kherson.
The conflict continues on both sides. In overnight Russian attacks on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy, two children and an elderly woman were killed, according to regional governor Oleh Hrihorov. Meanwhile, Russia accuses Ukraine of terrorism after a drone attack on the Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik on Monday, August 3. Seven people were killed in that attack, including three children, and 60 were injured. Russian authorities claim it was a "deliberate attack on civilians."
The UN Human Rights Mission in Ukraine released alarming data in July. In the first six months of 2026, 1,396 civilian deaths and 7,978 injuries were documented. This represents a 37 percent increase compared to 2025 and is more than double the figures recorded in 2024. The rise in civilian casualties is attributed to intensified Russian attacks with long-range missiles and drones on urban centers far from the front lines. Both Russia and Ukraine deny deliberately targeting civilians in the war that has been ongoing since February 2022.
