Short-range drones have become the primary cause of civilian casualties in Ukraine, with Kherson residents being among the most affected, according to a United Nations monitoring mission report released on February 11.
In January 2025, at least 139 civilians were killed and 738 injured across Ukraine. Of these, 38 deaths (27%) and 223 injuries (30%) were caused by small drones dropping explosives on civilian targets, including vehicles and public transport.
“Short-range drones are now among the deadliest threats to civilians in frontline areas,” said Danielle Bell, head of the UN mission.
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The report highlights the increasing use of first-person view (FPV) drones, which provide real-time video feeds to operators, allowing for precise targeting.
Most civilian casualties from drone strikes occurred in government-controlled areas of the Kherson region, particularly along the Dnipro River. In January alone, these drones were responsible for 70% of civilian deaths in the region.
One of the most devastating attacks occurred on January 6, when a Russian drone struck a public bus in Kherson during rush hour, killing two civilians and injuring eight others.
The UN also reported a rise in civilian casualties from drone attacks in other frontline regions, including Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the UN estimates that approximately 12,500 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, including 650 children. However, officials warn that the actual toll is likely much higher, as only verified casualties are included in the count.
Earlier reports indicated that Russian forces have been systematically using FPV drones to target Ukrainian civilians, not only to inflict damage but also to train drone operators.
These operations have reportedly been launched from the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, with attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Nikopol, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The drones have struck residential areas, emergency responders, and civilian vehicles, using incendiary devices and high-temperature charges.
The UN described these tactics as violations of the Geneva Conventions and potential war crimes.
