Human safari (terror campaign)

Not to be confused with Human zoo.

Human safari
Part of Russian invasion of Ukraine
Location	Kherson, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine
Date	May 2024–present
Target	Ukrainian civilians
Perpetrators	Russia

Human safari is a term used to describe a Russian deliberate terror campaign in Kherson, Ukraine which involves the use of drones to purposefully target Ukrainian civilians.

Background and start of widespread civilian targeting by Russian drones

The Ukrainian city Kherson had previously been occupied by Russia in 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but was later liberated by Ukrainian forces. Following the liberation, Russian forces positioned across the river less than a kilometer away from the shores of the city besieged residents with sniper, missile and artillery attacks. Despite this, according to freelance journalist Zarina Zabrisky, parts of the city remained "somewhat safe" as residents managed to hide from Russian attacks by moving behind their buildings or to north-facing apartments.

In late May 2024, Russians started sending in small drones instead to attack the city, with Zabrisky saying that she couldn't recognize the city by July because the number of attacks which had "changed the dynamics of life completely", adding that it was not safe to step outside. According to the Kyiv Post, half of the Kherson casualties in July and August were caused by drones, with up to 100 attacks per day.

Because of the close proximity of Russian forces enabling the use of drones in the attacks, the Washington Post described the situation in Kherson as atypical, since in the rest of Ukraine, Russia must use longer-range weapons to hit civilians. Kherson locals have described the Russian strikes from across the river as a kind of "punishment", because Kherson was the first major Ukrainian city captured by Russia to be liberated by Ukrainian forces.

Human safari

Following the continued deliberate targeting of Ukrainian civilians, Kherson locals started referring to the terror campaign as a "human safari".

Examples and casualties

A DJI Mavic, one of the types of drones used to target civilians

A representative from the Kherson military administration said nearly half of the 547 casualties reported from 1 July to 9 September 2024 were caused by drones. Ukraine's TSN news programme reported a record high of 330 drone drone strikes and 224 explosive drops on 9 September

Civilian targets have included people waiting at bus stops, commuters, children playing in parks, schools, public buses, civilian cars, and ambulances. Russian drones using a napalm-like mixture to burn down entire neighbourhoods have also been reported. Local volunteers and experts have reported "double tap" strikes hitting first responders and sappers, and preventing firefighters from responding.

In what was described as a "typical case" by Forbes, a mother-of-two was cycling home when she was spotted by a Russian drone, as she started pedaling as fast as she could she realized that the drone had started following her, eventually it dropped a grenade which brushed the woman's body before exploding at her feet, injuring her with shrapnel and leaving her unable to walk. Imagery of the attack was posted on a Russian Telegram with a winking face emoji and a comment incorrectly describing her as a "soldier".

In another example, footage shared publicly by Russian forces showed an explosive being dropped on a UN refugee agency vehicle.

Sharing of footage on social media

The footage captured during the attacks on Ukrainian civilians are shared and celebrated on Russian social media channels. Zabrisky said that many of the drones are purchased through fundraisers organized by Russian civilians, and Russian soldiers then share their drone footage showcasing Ukrainian deaths online so that supporters of the fundraisers can see their "return on investment". Pop music is sometimes added to the footage.