Russia's war in Ukraine has reduced infrastructure to rubble and displaced millions. Though estimates of the number of people killed since Moscow launched its invasion vary, the human tragedy is indisputable.

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Russia's use of drones in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. The region of Bereslav has been a focal point of these drone strikes, with civilians often caught in the crossfire. According to Ukrainian authorities, since September 2023, at least 16 civilians have died and more than 130 have been injured due to drone attacks. The residents describe the constant presence of drones, likening the experience to being hunted. For many, including Yubov and Volodymyr Kindrat who fled Bereslav after their home was struck, the drone attacks have shattered their lives.

Drones have emerged as a crucial tool in modern warfare, used by both sides in the conflict. Many drones are modified from commercial models, typically equipped with cameras that allow operators to view targets in real-time. This strategic advantage has turned drones into both surveillance and lethal weapons. Evidence suggests that Russian military units are employing drones in the Bereslav area, possibly to test new technologies. Although suspicions abound regarding the deliberate targeting of civilians, definitive evidence has not yet surfaced.

Efforts to counter these drone strikes have seen varied success. Ukrainian squads north of Bereslav are training with electronic anti-drone guns, although the evolving tactics and technology of Russian drones pose ongoing challenges. Footage shared on platforms like Telegram displays the frequency of these attacks, including strikes on all types of vehicles in Bereslav. Legal experts argue that such indiscriminate targeting violates international law, potentially amounting to war crimes. 

The situation in Bereslav has forced many residents to flee, with roads now closed to prevent further casualties. Those who have left, such as the Kindrats now residing in the Cherkassy region, find solace in quieter surroundings. Yet, the question of their return remains uncertain as drone attacks continue to escalate along the front lines.



Drone casualties mount in Ukraine, Russia

This is the aftermath of a drone strike near Ukraine's front line. Bereslav residents say attacks like this have been relentless for months, terrorizing them from dawn to dusk. Drones buzzing all day long. We almost stopped noticing because it never ended. Yubov and Volodymyr Kindrat fled Bereslav after their home was attacked in February. They were moving coal briquettes on a cold winter's day when the drones arrived. We were just inside the barn and one guy, a neighbor, was still inside the garage when the first kamikaze drone struck. It hit a high-voltage line and then exploded. We immediately ran out because we were afraid something had happened to him, but he was alive. The next day, two more drones came. They smashed into the garage and hit the car inside. Since September 2023, Ukrainian authorities have reported that at least 16 civilians have been killed and more than 130 injured in drone strikes. Former residents say they felt like they were being hunted by drones. It's as if they were sitting there and playing a computer game. But in real life. On living targets. Drones have become a pivotal weapon in this war, for both sides. Many are amateur drones, typically used for racing or aerial photography that have been fitted with explosives. Equipped with a camera, these first-person view or FPV drones transmit a real-time image to the operators, giving them a clear picture of the target. FPV drones are often used to observe battlefields from above. But they can also be lethal. Dorchevella spent six months investigating why Russia's military is targeting Bereslov. We identified three Russian units operating drones in the area and found evidence that one of them is testing a new drone. Experts and officials harbour a terrible suspicion on why they are being targeted. It doesn't matter if it's a person in uniform, a soldier or a civilian. They're using Bereslov to train. There is no conclusive evidence for this suspicion. Countering such attacks is difficult. In a small village north of Bereslov, this Ukrainian squad is practising shooting down drones with special electronic anti-drone guns. The squad aims to hit as many Russian drones as possible, but the Russian units keep modifying their devices and changing their tactics. The Russians show no sign of winding down their attacks. Dozens of clips on Telegram show Russian drone strikes on Bereslov, often on vehicles. Making a distinction between military vehicles and civilian cars does not seem to matter to some drone operators. In one post, a drone operator said, quote, there are no civilians here. All vehicles are being destroyed to hinder movement and deprive the enemy of mobility. Lawyers say this is clearly illegal under international law. He's not making any assessment as to how he's going to minimise civilian damage. And effectively, he's decided that any individual is a legitimate military target. So that comment, plus evidence of the drone being used in the way suggested, creates not just a plausible case, but a very strong case of war crimes. We could not travel to Bereslov ourselves. Due to the constant attacks, the Ukrainian authorities have closed all roads to the city. Most residents have fled, like the Kindrats. In their new home in a quiet village in the Cherkassy region, they're trying to build a new life. Here, we don't hear any bombs or shells or explosions. Nightingales sing at night. My God, it's like we're in paradise. Whether they can ever return to Bereslov is unclear. Since they left, drone attacks on civilians have only been increasing along the front line.

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Ukraine Invasion