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Watch: Moment Russian drone chases Ukrainian civilian in ‘human safari’ attack

Published 12:29 5 Aug 2026 BST

Updated 12:29 5 Aug 2026 BST

Harry Warner
Watch: Moment Russian drone chases Ukrainian civilian in ‘human safari’ attack

Homenews

The man escaped with his life

A video has been going viral online of the shocking moment a Russian drone chases a Ukrainian civilian in what has been described as a "human safari" attack.

The video shows a street vendor come face to face with a drone strapped with an explosive in the Kherson region as he attempts to escape the device by running around a van.

After a few moments of the man trying to escape the drone, it eventually gets close enough to detonate in a bright flash.

Despite the shocking footage, the man escaped with multiple shrapnel wounds, concussion and trauma, a doctor said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenksy condemned the attack, writing on social media "the world must see this", adding that "the Russians even admitted to the crime".

He said in a statement: "Today, many were shocked by yet another video of the drone 'safari' Russians are carrying out against civilians in Kherson.

"A Russian drone deliberately hunted down a man selling vegetables and detonated right next to him. The Russians even admitted to the crime, showing zero regret and openly boasting about tormenting people.

"The man was wounded in the blast. Every single day, ordinary people in Kherson face these Russian "safaris.

"The world must see this. It must see every piece of evidence that Russia has gone mad and that its soldiers take pleasure in killing and abusing civilians.

"Without pressure on Russia, the dismantling of its capacity for aggression, and real security guarantees, it is simply impossible to imagine the world being able to coexist with this evil.

"We must remain resolute in defending life. We must act and support life in ways that force Russia to seriously think about peace rather than expanding the range of its drones.

"This is not just about Ukraine. Russia’s campaign against human life must be stopped here in Ukraine before it spreads further.

"Finland and Kazakhstan, the Baltic states and Poland, the countries of the South Caucasus, Romania, and Moldova—all should work together to ensure real security guarantees and bring Russia’s war to an end.

"Peace is needed, which requires cooperation among everyone in the world who truly values peace. Thank you to everyone standing with Ukraine!

Often referred to as a "human safari", the use of attack drones against civilians is a tactic deployed by Russians to scare residents in Ukraine.

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