‘Not an isolated incident’: Russian drones stalk Ukraine’s civilians in ‘human safaris’

A video showing a Ukrainian cyclist being struck and killed by a short‑range drone was posted by the Russian military on Friday, only to be removed a short time later. The footage, which was widely shared on social media, sparked immediate outrage among viewers and was described as a stark illustration of the conflict’s impact on civilians.

The incident is not the first time Russian drone operators have been accused of deliberately targeting civilians. In a series of operations referred to by some observers as “human safaris,” drones have reportedly been used to hunt down individuals in populated areas. An independent United Nations commission has classified these actions as war crimes, citing repeated violations of international humanitarian law.

The deletion of the video by Russian forces has intensified calls for accountability and increased scrutiny of drone use in the conflict. Human rights groups and international bodies continue to demand transparent investigations into the incidents and the broader conduct of Russian aerial operations in Ukraine.