Russian army deliberately attacks civilians with drones - UN

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMM) has documented numerous cases of war crimes.

Drones have become one of the leading causes of civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine, and in some months have even surpassed more powerful weapons such as missiles, artillery, and aerial bombs.

The Russian military deliberately targeted civilians who showed no signs of direct involvement in the fighting. Among the casualties recorded by the Mission are civilians who were traveling on bicycles, in private vehicles, evacuation buses, ambulances, during humanitarian missions, walking or while outside their own homes.

"The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has documented and analyzed the circumstances of these attacks and concluded that the targeting by drone operators violated in practice the basic principles of international humanitarian law of distinction and caution. Some incidents may amount to deliberate targeting of civilians, which is a war crime," the IMLU reported.

In addition to the direct loss of life, drone attacks make it impossible to provide humanitarian assistance. Non-governmental organization staff, medics and government officials cannot safely travel to affected areas, and civilians are denied access to basic services, medicine and food. The most affected are the elderly and people with disabilities, who remain in dangerous areas due to limited evacuation options.

Photo: channel 24.