Ukrainian authorities have reported over 11,000 drone attacks by Russian forces targeting civilian areas, according to the Office of the Prosecutor General. The use of drones, particularly FPV models, is increasingly seen as a method of terror against non-combatants rather than a conventional military tactic.
These drone strikes have hit residential neighborhoods, civilian vehicles, critical infrastructure, hospitals, and locations with high foot traffic, including emergency responders who are on-site to assist victims. The Prosecutor General’s Office describes these actions as serious violations of international humanitarian law, categorizing them as war crimes.
There has been a marked increase in criminal cases related to drone attacks, with 2,427 incidents recorded in 2024, rising to 6,771 in 2025. In just the first four months of 2026, authorities have already registered 2,010 cases.
The Office emphasizes that these incidents reflect a systematic and organized approach to using drones against civilians, rather than isolated events. Patterns of targeting have emerged, including the use of FPV drones against individuals in public spaces, near residential buildings, and during emergency response efforts.
Particularly alarming are the so-called ‘double strikes,’ where Russian forces launch additional attacks after first responders arrive at the scene. To date, 34 criminal cases have been initiated regarding attacks on emergency service workers during their operations, with nine involving firefighters and 25 concerning medical personnel.
These secondary strikes have resulted in injuries to 52 medical staff, three of whom have died, along with injuries to 20 emergency service workers. Additionally, 95 criminal investigations are underway concerning attacks on police officers, with 167 injured and four fatalities reported during evacuations and responses to strikes.
Drone attacks have also damaged 52 specialized vehicles, including 44 ambulances and eight fire trucks. The Office of the Prosecutor General notes a significant escalation in the frequency of these assaults, with some days seeing up to 50 new criminal cases reported.
Furthermore, the nature of the attacks is evolving, with an increasing reliance on FPV drones and those equipped with remote detonation systems. Drones utilizing fiber optics present a new challenge, as they are harder to detect and neutralize with electronic warfare methods.
The most severe situation is reported in the Kherson region, where 5,303 criminal cases related to drone attacks on civilian infrastructure have been documented. These assaults have resulted in 287 civilian deaths, including children, and 2,549 injuries.
Russian military forces continue to target Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure across all regions using various weapons, including strike drones and missiles. Both Ukrainian authorities and international organizations classify these actions as war crimes, emphasizing their deliberate nature.
Attacks on essential services and healthcare facilities aim to deprive civilians of electricity, heat, water, communication, and medical care, raising concerns about genocidal actions. Legal experts and human rights advocates argue that Russia’s actions during the ongoing conflict encompass all forms of crimes that could be classified as genocide.
The 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide obligates signatory nations to prevent and punish acts of genocide during both wartime and peacetime. This convention defines genocide as actions intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Signs of genocide include the killing of group members, causing serious bodily harm, and deliberately creating conditions aimed at destroying a group. Despite these allegations, Russian leadership denies that their military targets civilian infrastructure or causes civilian casualties.
The Office of the Prosecutor General in Ukraine has reported a significant increase in drone attacks by Russian forces on civilian targets, categorizing these actions as war crimes. The report highlights systematic patterns of targeting and the rising number of casualties among emergency responders.