Russian Forces Continue Deliberate Drone Strikes on Civilian Population in Southern Ukraine: New Victims in Nikopol

Russian military formations continue their offensive in southern Ukraine, executing deliberate drone strikes against the civilian population. This tactic is being used as a weapon in their ongoing war, as evidenced by the latest report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Experts from ISW presented their findings based on a series of recent attacks that occurred in Nikopol, located in the Dnipropetrovsk region. On April 7, Russian FPV drones struck city buses twice, resulting in the deaths of four civilians and injuring 24 others. Additionally, in another incident that took place in the Chervonohryhorivka community, situated east of Nikopol, at least five more civilians were wounded. These events are part of a broader pattern of violence perpetrated by Russian forces against Ukrainian citizens.

Furthermore, on April 4, Russian troops targeted a market in Nikopol with a drone strike, leading to the deaths of five civilians and injuring 28 others. These horrific incidents underscore the severity of the situation in southern Ukraine, where the civilian population is increasingly becoming a target for Russian attacks.

ISW emphasizes that Russian forces are actively employing a tactic known as 'human safari.' This strategy involves the deliberate use of FPV drones to seek out and strike civilian targets. In southern Ukraine, the occupiers are extensively deploying tactical drones to attack civilians and infrastructure, resulting in numerous casualties among the civilian population.

Moreover, Russian forces have integrated these deliberate strikes against civilians into their broader battlefield air interdiction (BAI) strategy. Traditionally, such tactics focus on military targets and dual-use infrastructure, but do not specifically aim at civilian objects. However, the Russians are using drones to strike deep into Ukraine's rear, primarily targeting civilian objectives in an attempt to disrupt movement on certain roads.

Such deliberate harm to the civilian population, which has become a tool of war, constitutes a war crime, as noted by ISW. These actions raise profound concerns among the international community and highlight the urgent need to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes against humanity.

Consequently, the situation in Nikopol and other areas of southern Ukraine remains critical, with Russian military actions causing numerous casualties among the civilian population, endangering the lives of thousands.