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Since early 2024, pro-Russian channels and occupying authorities in Kherson Oblast have declared a 60 km² “red zone,” placing civilians and civilian infrastructure at extreme risk. Since July 2024, CIR has verified 316 Russian drone attacks on likely civilians, civilian infrastructure, and emergency workers in this area, mapped to document the growing civilian toll.

Russian forces have dramatically escalated their use of drone-dropped munitions in Kherson, described by locals as a “human safari”.

Starting in the last week of October, CIR observed a growing number of videos of Russian Shahed and Geran One Way Attack (OWA) drones flying at extremely low altitudes over Ukraine, in particular over the capital city, Kyiv. CIR assesses that the recent increase in numbers of drones being launched at Ukraine may be an attempt to deplete Ukraine’s air defence stocks. Additionally, Russia’s last large-scale missile strike against Ukraine occurred in August 2024 and CIR assesses that Russia has possibly been building up their missile stocks for a renewed campaign over the winter period.