**Russian Drone Attacks in Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast Declared Crimes Against Humanity**
A new report by the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has concluded that Russian armed forces have committed crimes against humanity by deliberately targeting civilians with drones in Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast. The commission found that the drone attacks, which began in July 2024, were widespread and systematic, and part of a coordinated state policy to terrorize the population and forcibly depopulate the area.
The report is based on extensive research, including over 300 videos, more than 600 Telegram posts, and 91 interviews with victims, witnesses, and local officials. According to the commission, nearly 150 civilians have been killed and hundreds more wounded in drone strikes on Kherson city and 16 surrounding localities. Victims include men, women, and children, who were often struck while going about their daily routines.
The report highlights a disturbing trend of Russian forces using real-time video feeds to track and strike civilians and civilian vehicles. “They are simply chasing and hunting civilians who are on their way to work or walking their dogs,” a senior Kherson hospital official said. The attacks were often followed by Telegram posts showing the killings and threatening further violence.
**War Crimes Allegations**
The commission concluded that Russian forces committed two war crimes: intentionally attacking civilians, and outrages upon personal dignity by sharing videos of the assaults online. These actions violate the core principles of international humanitarian law, which prohibit targeting civilians. The constant threat has left residents living in fear, often venturing outside only under cloud cover or near trees for safety.
The report notes that the recurrent drone attacks, along with widely disseminated videos and explicit threats to leave the area, suggest a coordinated state policy by Russian authorities to force the population of Kherson Province to leave. This is a chilling example of the use of terror tactics in warfare, and highlights the need for international accountability and action.
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