Russia Deploys Drones Against Civilians in Ukraine

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1520 EAT on Tuesday 3 March 2025

According to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, Russian forces have been using drones to attack civilians in Ukraine, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

HRW states that these attacks, which have occurred over the course of the more than three-year conflict, violate international humanitarian law.

According to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, Russian forces have been using drones to attack civilians in Ukraine, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Belkis Wille, an HRW director, condemned Russia’s actions, stating that drone operators can track targets via high-resolution video feeds, indicating a clear intent to harm and intimidate civilians.

This highlights the need for the international community to support accountability efforts for victims of Russian war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

The findings corroborate earlier reports from Kherson residents and officials, suggesting Russian drone operators trained by targeting civilians in what were described as “human safaris”.

To gather evidence, HRW conducted interviews with 36 survivors and witnesses of attacks, and analyzed 83 videos from Russian military-affiliated Telegram channels, as well as visual materials provided by witnesses and researchers.

According to HRW, Russian forces carried out at least 45 deliberate drone attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, between June and December 2024.

Authorities reported at least 30 deaths and 500 injuries from drone attacks.

A January 2025 report stated that drone attacks accounted for 70% of civilian casaulties in Kherson.

The report suggests the drone attacks aim to instill terror in Kherson’s civilian population, indicating a broader campaign of intimidation.

According to HRW, Russia used commercial drones from Chinese companies DJI and Autel, as well as from a Russian entity called Sudoplatov, which claims to be a “volunteer organization”.

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