Russian FPV Drone Hunts Down Unarmed Street Vendor in Kherson: Civilian Miraculously Survives

A Russian FPV drone targeted an unarmed civilian selling vegetables at a local market in Kherson. Ukrainian authorities have labeled the attack a "barbaric war crime" and part of a deliberate "human safari" strategy against civilians in front-line areas.

The victim, identified as 52-year-old Yuriy from the Mykolaiv region, was setting up his produce display—including tomatoes, eggplants, and cucumbers—alongside his wife in the Tavriyskyi neighborhood. While his wife managed to run away when the drone hovered overhead, the Russian drone operator chased Yuriy around his vehicle for nearly a minute before detonating.

Yuriy miraculously survived the attack, suffering blast injuries, shrapnel wounds across his back and legs, and a concussion. Medical personnel are currently treating him at a local hospital. In a video shared from his hospital bed, Yuriy revealed that this was the second time he had been targeted by a drone.

Video: Russian Drone Hunts Civilian Vegetable Seller in Kherson

Official Reactions: "A Systemic Strategy of Terror"

Ukrainian officials strongly condemned the targeted attack, pointing out that the victim displayed no combatant characteristics.

• National Police of Ukraine: "The man in the video shows no signs of being a combatant; he is simply trading at the market. Yet, for the aggressor country's military, he is still a target. Andrii Sybiha (Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs): "This is a deliberate and systemic Russian strategy. The sadist controlling this drone is fully aware they are targeting a civilian. This horrific video proves that Russian barbarians will attempt to repeat their genocidal atrocities everywhere they can reach". Volodymyr Zelenskyy (President of Ukraine): "Today, many were shocked by another video of the 'safari' that Russians conduct with drones against people in Kherson. The Russians themselves admitted to committing this crime and are not only unremorseful, but proud of abusing people. World must see this".

The General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine has initiated a pre-trial war crimes investigation, describing remote attacks via FPV drones as a routine method of terror in front-line zones.

Background: "Human Safari" in Kherson

Since Russian forces retreated to the east bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022, Kherson has been subjected to continuous bombardment via artillery and drones.

Russian forces frequently target civilian transport, homes, and individual pedestrians, as well as drop disguised explosives throughout the city streets. According to regional authorities, 130 residents (including three children) were killed and 1,195 others were injured by Russian drone "safaris" in 2025 alone, during which nearly 97,000 strike drones were launched at the region.

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