Drone Attack on Market Vendor in Kherson Labeled War Crime by Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities released video footage showing a Russian drone pursuing and then detonating on a market vendor in the Kherson region, an act they have labeled a war crime. The civilian survived the attack but sustained severe injuries.

The incident, captured on a market square, shows a man repeatedly moving around a white van while a drone appears to track him. When the man seeks shelter behind the vehicle, the drone dives sharply, followed by an explosion. According to Ukrainian police, the victim, a 52-year-old man from the Mykolaiv region, suffered a concussion and shrapnel wounds.

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It is a barbaric Russian war crime, which asks for international condemnation and justice. Thousands of similar crimes never come to light.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, described the attack on Telegram as "barbaric" and a Russian war crime demanding international condemnation. He suggested the drone operator must have known they were targeting a civilian, calling the individual a "sadist." Sybiha urged for a "powerful defense and deterrence package for Ukraine" to ensure the country's security.

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The operator of the drone is nothing more than 'a sadist'.

Russia has consistently denied targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure. However, civilian casualties remain a grim reality in the conflict. Between January and July 2026, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine recorded at least 1,396 civilian deaths and nearly 8,000 injuries. This represents a 37% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and a doubling of figures from 2024.

Meanwhile, Russia has accused Ukraine of war crimes, citing an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on a Black Sea resort last month that reportedly killed seven people, including three children, and injured 60. Russia termed that attack a "terrorist act."

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This is a terrorist act.