Video shows Russian drone chasing Ukrainian street vendor in 'human safari' attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video on social media displaying a Russian drone targeting a street vendor in southern Ukraine, alleging it to be a "human safari" attack against civilians. The footage reveals the drone tracking a man in Kherson region, who initially attempts to evade the hovering drone before it pursues him around a white van.

Eventually, the drone collides with the man, causing him to suffer multiple shrapnel wounds, concussion and trauma. The incident has been described as a barbaric war crime by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who further stated that it is part of a deliberate and systematic Russian strategy. The target, identified as Yuriy, a 52-year-old vegetable vendor, recounted his experience, explaining how the drone was unbothered by his attempt to show the operator his produce.

The video has been geolocated to a market space near a roundabout in the Tavriiskyi district of Kherson. BBC Verify confirmed this location. The UN has previously reported that Russian forces have repeatedly killed and injured civilians in the area using drones. The post-event posting of such videos by drones is considered a war crime by the UN, as it amounts to outrages upon personal dignity.