Civilians in the Ukrainian city of Kherson are facing a new and deadly threat from small drones carrying explosives, which have killed 24 people and injured hundreds since July, according to Digi24.
Survived Three Drone Attacks
These drones, repurposed by Russian forces, drop grenades on anything that moves, terrorizing residents in the frontline city.
Sasha Ustenko, a Kherson resident, has survived three drone attacks.
The first, in late July, targeted a police car as he passed by, knocking him to the ground. A second attack, in mid-August, hit a water truck while Ustenko was in line for supplies, killing the driver and leaving Ustenko with a concussion.
In September, a third drone dropped a grenade just a meter from Ustenko, severely injuring his left hand. Now, at 51, he is learning to write with his other hand, as multiple injuries have made it difficult for him to walk or speak without pausing.
Brag About Targeting Civilians
Russian forces openly brag about targeting civilians in Kherson, claiming that anything or anyone moving is a legitimate target. These attacks have increased, with over 2,500 drone strikes in August and more than 2,700 in September.
Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, a spokesperson for the Kherson military administration, reported that more than 400 civilians, including children, have been injured by drone attacks in recent months.
The drones, mostly small Chinese-made Mavic models designed for photography, fly too low to be detected by traditional air defense systems. Their presence has injected a new level of fear into daily life in Kherson.
Dima Olifirenko, a 22-year-old resident, was injured at a bus stop when a grenade exploded near him. He described how drones "hunt buses" and leave civilians with nowhere to hide.
As the drone threat grows, Kherson residents are adapting to this grim reality, but they are left wondering why more isn't being done to stop these attacks.
