Russian Drones Target Civilians in Kherson as Putin Focuses on Ukraine

Escalating Tensions in Kherson as Russia Targets Key Infrastructure

Russia has intensified its efforts to gain control over the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson by targeting critical access roads and attempting to divide the city by striking a vital bridge. This escalation has led to significant disruptions, with civilians caught in the crossfire and urgent evacuation efforts underway.

On Sunday, a series of airstrikes damaged a key bridge connecting Kherson’s island, Korabel, to the main city. The attack prompted a large-scale evacuation of approximately 1,800 Ukrainian civilians still living on the island. Despite the ongoing conflict, Russian forces have not targeted the evacuation efforts for the past three days, offering a rare moment of respite from the daily drone strikes that have plagued the area. However, this reprieve was short-lived, as videos posted online showed renewed Russian attacks near the bridge and on the island, where some Ukrainian military personnel are believed to be stationed.

Russian military bloggers have warned residents that the main access road from the north will now be targeted by longer-range drones. While it remained unclear how impactful these threats were, witnesses observed significant freight and civilian traffic along the road, including a large group of cyclists protected by netting designed to block drones.

The strategic importance of Kherson cannot be overstated. Seized early in the war and later reclaimed by a swift Ukrainian counter-offensive in November 2022, the city remains a primary objective for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The recent attempts to isolate Korabel from the rest of the city have raised concerns that Russian forces may soon launch an assault on the flat terrain in the coming weeks.

Evacuations from Korabel continued throughout the week, with rescuers reporting calm conditions during the collection of 925 people by the end of the day. Shelling persisted on the peninsula, but drones appeared to avoid the evacuation convoys. Locals expressed a mix of relief and anxiety as they reached aid points, with many questioning when the violence would end.

Nadiya, one of the evacuees, shared her frustration: “They are hitting so hard since the morning. When is all of this going to be over? We already went crazy from all of this.” She mentioned hearing about a deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump for a peace deal with Russia, though she felt it had done little to change her situation.

Most elderly evacuees were promised temporary lodging elsewhere in the city, but their options remain limited. Nina, an 85-year-old woman, described her exhaustion and lack of hope: “There is no plan. I will live where they put me.”

Local Ukrainian officials emphasized that any pause in drone attacks on evacuation convoys paled in comparison to the months of relentless strikes on civilian targets. Yaroslav Shanko, head of Kherson city military administration, stated, “They absolutely do not care what the targets are. Strikes on the community and the city are constant.”

Civilians in Kherson continue to face the threat of Russian drones, which often operate with impunity. The city's main hospital treats numerous patients injured by shelling or drone attacks, with new cases reported daily. Oleh, a 62-year-old man, was hit by a drone strike while helping his neighbors after a fire broke out at their home. A second “double-tap” drone then attacked, causing severe injuries to his legs.

Oleh described the danger of detecting drones: “A double tap. That’s how they operate. They destroy a house, it burns. A minute later, another one comes, checking whether the house is burning or someone is trying to extinguish it. And then they kill and destroy further.” His injuries have left him unable to walk, contributing to overcrowding in the hospital ward.

During a visit to the hospital, local officials noted that three drones hovered overhead, their engines and gunfire echoing through the facility’s window netting. For residents of Kherson, the threat of drones and continuous attacks remains an ever-present reality.