A Ukrainian vegetable seller in Kherson survived a harrowing encounter after a Russian drone aggressively pursued him in what officials are calling a “safari” style attack. The incident, captured on video and shared by authorities, has drawn condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said the footage highlights Russia’s ongoing targeting of civilians.
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## The Incident: What Actually Happened
On a clear morning in Kherson, the victim—later identified as 52-year-old Yurii—was setting up his roadside vegetable stand, arranging crates beside his van. He and his wife were preparing tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, garlic, among other produce, when they heard the ominous buzz of a drone above them.
Witnesses say the drone immediately focused on Yurii. As his wife fled, the drone followed his every move. He waved bunches of garlic, and even tried to hide behind an umbrella, apparently hoping to show the operator that he was a just a vegetable seller. Suddenly, the drone struck after homing in on him—Yurii dove behind the van just in time.
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## Aftermath: Injuries and Response
Yurii survived the attack but sustained shrapnel wounds and was reportedly in shock. Kherson’s regional military administration, led by Oleksandr Prokudin, confirmed these injuries and released Yurii’s hospital interview.
President Zelenskyy condemned the incident on X, condemning what he called a Russian “drone ‘safari’” directed at civilians in Kherson. He called for greater international pressure on Moscow, stronger security guarantees for Ukraine, and decisive action that could make Russia think seriously about peace.
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## ‘Drone Safaris’: A Disturbing Pattern
The term “safari attacks” refers to deliberate drone strikes, where civilians are pursued in a manner akin to hunting—an emerging pattern in Kherson. According to a 2025 United Nations report, these tactics have led to repeated civilian deaths and injuries in the region.
Kherson stands perilously close to the front lines, making it vulnerable to such attacks. The drone that pursued Yurii was reportedly able to monitor his produce spread out in daylight and even ducked under shade structures when he attempted to evade it—suggesting the pilot had clear visibility through the device’s camera.
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## Context: Bullets, Missiles, and Accusations
Ukrainian officials have long accused Russian forces of using drones in deliberate civilian targeting. These claims are not one-off allegations. UN findings have echoed similar conclusions.
Meanwhile, Russia has accused Ukraine of conducting drone and missile strikes within Russian territory. In one case, Russia blamed a Ukrainian drone attack for killing seven people—three of whom were children—in Gelendzhik, a resort city on the Black Sea. Moscow described the event as a “terrorist attack” targeting civilians.
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## What This Means Going Forward
Officials in Ukraine are using this incident to reinforce calls for:
– More international pressure against Russia to stop targeting civilians.
– Stronger security guarantees and support for Ukraine.
– Clear proof of war crimes and evidence collection for use in international legal proceedings.
For locals, it adds another layer of danger to daily life—selling vegetables, or simply stepping outside, can turn into a life-threatening situation. Yurii’s brush with death underscores that distinction between front-line risk and civilian vulnerability is increasingly blurred.
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