The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has accused Russian military forces of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes through systematic drone attacks targeting civilians in Ukraine's Kherson region.
In a report published on May 28, 2025, the commission stated that since July 2024, Russian forces have repeatedly struck civilian areas on the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Province. These attacks targeted civilians, ambulances, and other non-military sites, resulting in nearly 150 deaths and hundreds of injuries, including men, women, and children.
The commission corroborated its findings by geolocating attack videos and analyzing open-source information. Notably, several Russian Telegram channels linked to military units disseminated footage from the drone strikes, which demonstrated clear intent to target civilians. The report categorically identified these actions as war crimes and crimes against humanity under international humanitarian law.
"These acts were committed with the primary purpose to spread terror among the civilian population," the inquiry noted, emphasizing the widespread, systematic, and planned nature of the drone assaults over a period exceeding ten months.
Despite examining allegations of Ukrainian drone attacks on civilians in the same region, the commission found no corroborating evidence, citing insufficient information and limited access to Russian-controlled areas. The Russian government has not recognized the commission or responded to its inquiries regarding these incidents.
In its recommendations, the commission urged Moscow to immediately cease all drone attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and to hold accountable those responsible for authorizing such actions in accordance with international standards. It also called upon Ukrainian authorities to provide medical treatment, support to victims, and assistance to those displaced by the attacks.
The commission’s findings highlight grave violations of human rights amidst the ongoing conflict, marking one of the most serious accusations against Russian forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
