President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces are conducting a "safari" against civilians in Kherson as part of a systematic campaign of terror.

These attacks target non-combatants in residential and transit areas, signaling a strategy aimed at intimidating the local population through unpredictable violence.

On Aug. 20, 2024, Russian forces launched drone strikes against minibuses in Kherson [1], [4]. These specific attacks killed two civilians [3]. Five other people were injured in the drone strikes, including a 14-year-old boy [1], [2].

During the same day, Russian forces used artillery to strike a medical facility in the city [5]. This strike injured a 25-year-old woman who sustained severe injuries [5].

Zelenskyy described the pattern of targeting people in Kherson as a "safari" and said the actions must be stopped [6].

The violence in Kherson is part of a broader pattern of aerial assaults. On May 1 and May 2, 2024, Russian forces conducted widespread drone raids across other Ukrainian regions [7]. These raids targeted Kharkiv, Odesa, Rivne, and Ternopil [7].

Ukrainian officials said these operations are designed to punish the civilian population [8]. The use of drones against public transit and healthcare infrastructure continues to complicate evacuation and medical efforts in the region.

“"Russia is conducting constant 'safaris' on people in Kherson. It must be stopped."”

The description of these attacks as a 'safari' suggests that Russian forces are not merely hitting military targets but are actively hunting civilians in open areas. By targeting minibuses and medical facilities, the military strategy shifts toward psychological warfare, aiming to make basic movement and healthcare access perilous for those remaining in occupied or contested territories.