A United Nations human rights investigative body has concluded that Russian drone strikes on civilian populations in south-eastern Ukraine represent crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Systematic Attacks of Non-Military Targets
In a newly released document, the investigative panel declared that Russian forces, acting through a centralized chain of command, had systematically used drones to "intentionally strike civilians and civilian infrastructure and inflict harm and devastation".
The inquiry was carried out by the United Nations' autonomous global investigative body on Ukraine, which operates independently while reporting to the United Nations. The most recent document focused on three specific Ukrainian regions – the Kherson region, Mykolaiv oblast and Dnipropetrovsk province – which are located near the front line and where UAV strikes have escalated dramatically in frequency over the previous twelve months.
Relentless Attacks on Civilian Life
In these areas, the combat zone runs along the Dnieper River, and investigators discovered that Moscow's unmanned aircraft sent across the front lines had repeatedly targeted civilians and their homes, along with meeting places, aid distribution centers, and essential facilities that support civilian populations. Frequently, the strikes hit the identical places multiple times. Drone operators have also targeted ambulance crews and fire brigades.
Types of Unmanned Aircraft Deployed
The Russian forces have utilized various types of "small, limited-range, and low-cost" drones, usually fitted with cameras and a navigation system, in these operations. Certain of them explode on impact while others drop explosives from above. These unmanned vehicles are distinct from the larger, extended-range drones that Russian forces uses to strike cities across Ukraine on a almost daily basis.
Civilian Toll and Research Approach
Referencing local authorities, the investigation estimated that over 200 non-combatants have been fatally injured by close-range Russian drones in the affected areas over the past year, with two thousand suffering injuries. The investigators conducted over 200 interviews and reviewed over 500 pieces of video evidence.
Juridical Classification of Attacks
Based on the report, the drone attacks amount to murder, as well as the violation of international law of deliberately targeting non-combatants. It also determined that the strikes were committed "as part of a systematic policy to drive out civilians from these areas and represent the international crime of forced displacement of civilian population".
Psychological Impact on Civilians
Residents of Kherson have recounted the grim reality of life under continuous danger of precision drone strikes, describing how simple trips around the city had become a dangerous ordeal where death could occur at any time.
"I heard the drone coming as the bus pulled in but I assumed it would pursue the transport, because that's what they do, they hunt the buses," stated one resident. "However when it drove off the drone was remaining and I understood even if I chased the bus it would get me. There was no place to take cover."
The person suffered fragment wounds to his head when the drone exploded. "Drones are much worse than artillery, it's possible to hear the firing and its trajectory," he explained. "When dealing with a UAV, it's [suddenly] there, it detects you, and it's over for you."
Tactic of Fear
The UN report indicated that part of the rationale behind Russia's actions was to create an environment of fear and force civilians to leave areas close to the combat area. It cited one woman who resided in an location regularly attacked by drones who spoke about the mental toll: "It is a game of chance – will a UAV appear today or not? You go to bed and you don't know if you'll survive or awaken in the next day."
Russian Reaction and Investigation Challenges
Russia has consistently rejected claims of attacking non-combatants, but over nearly four years of large-scale conflict in Ukraine, Russian missiles and drones have frequently hit civilian areas. Moscow officials refused to participate in the United Nations investigation. The investigators stated they had also attempted to examine claims of Ukrainian drone attacks against non-military objectives in Russian-occupied areas, but had been unable to do so due to a lack of engagement from Russian authorities.
"Russia persisted in not recognising the Commission and 35 formal inquiries for access, data, and meetings, were left without response," the report stated.
