Russians continue “human safari” tactics in Kherson

This morning, at approximately 8:15 a.m. local time, a Russian drone targeted a shuttle bus in Kherson’s Dniprovsky district, resulting in three fatalities and injuring at least eight others, according to local authorities.

The bus was carrying 15 passengers when the drone struck. Seven of the injured were promptly hospitalized, while a 70-year-old woman later sought medical attention for a mine-blast injury and a fractured tibia, as reported by Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

Medical personnel diagnosed the victims with shrapnel wounds and various injuries to the chest, abdomen, arms, and legs, according to Vitalii Khomukha, head of the surgical department at the city hospital.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks in the region. Since Ukrainian forces liberated Kherson and other west bank settlements of the Dnipro River in the fall of 2022, Russian troops, positioned on the river’s east bank, have consistently shelled the liberated areas. These assaults have led to numerous civilian casualties and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

The use of drones to target civilians has become a particularly concerning tactic. In October 2024, reports emerged of Russian drones deliberately attacking civilians in Kherson, with footage of such attacks being shared on Russian social media platforms. This strategy, referred to by locals as a “human safari,” has resulted in significant civilian casualties and has been condemned by international observers.