Zelenskyy shares chilling video of Russian drone 'hunting' civilian in human safari attack

According to media reports, the footage shows a street vendor being pursued by a drone along a road in the Kherson region.

After chasing the man for several moments, the drone swoops down and explodes close to him.

The man survived the attack but suffered multiple shrapnel wounds, a concussion and psychological trauma, a doctor told the BBC.

The term "human safari" has been used to describe the alleged deliberate deployment of remotely operated drones to hunt and target civilians.

Sharing the video on X, Zelenskyy wrote: "Today, many were shocked by yet another video of the drone 'safari' Russians are carrying out against civilians in Kherson."

"A Russian drone deliberately hunted down a man selling vegetables and detonated right next to him. The Russians even admitted to the crime, showing zero regret and openly boasting about tormenting people," he said.

Zelenskyy said the man was wounded in the blast.

"Every single day, ordinary people in Kherson face these Russian 'safaris'," he added.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the alleged attack, calling it a "barbaric war crime."

"This barbaric Russian war crime in Kherson requires international condemnation and justice, yet thousands of similar crimes never reach the public eye," Sybiha said.

He further alleged that the attack reflected a broader Russian strategy.

"This is a deliberate and systemic Russian strategy. They know exactly what they are doing. The sadist operating this drone knows full well that he is targeting a civilian," the minister said.

Russia has not publicly responded to the allegations, and the claims made by Ukrainian officials could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, with both sides intensifying airstrikes and drone attacks deep inside each other's territory in recent weeks, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday called for greater protection of children caught in the conflict.

"Over the past several days, children have again been killed and injured in attacks in the Russian Federation and across Ukraine," UNICEF said in a statement, urging all parties to comply with international humanitarian law.

The agency noted that three children were reportedly among the seven people killed in an attack in Russia's Krasnodar region on Monday that also injured around 40 others.

The attack came a day after a 13-year-old girl was killed and two other girls, aged seven and nine, were injured when a drone struck near a playground in Russia's Belgorod region.

In Ukraine, at least six children were reportedly killed in attacks over the past seven days.

The victims included an eight-year-old boy, at least three children who were killed along with their entire family in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and two girls aged five and 10 in the Sumy region. UNICEF said at least 19 other children were reportedly injured during the same period.

"A playground. A beach. A family home. Children have the right to be safe in the places where they live and play, wherever they are," UNICEF said.

The UN agency reiterated its call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of children and civilian infrastructure.

"UNICEF again calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law – including the protection of children and civilian infrastructure. Attacks that kill and injure children must stop," the agency said.