The UN Independent International Commission of Ukraine on Monday reported to the UN Human Rights Council that Russian armed forces have targeted civilians using short-range drones along the Dnipro River.

The commission found that Russian forces pursued victims with drones and dropped explosives on them. These drones have also targeted ambulances and other emergency services. Investigations concluded that Russian armed forces’ drone units have carried out attacks on civilians and civilian objects in Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv Provinces. 

A UN report in April stated that short-range drones are the leading cause of civilian death and injury in Ukraine, surpassing more traditional weapons such as missiles, artillery, and aerial bombs. First-person-view drones equipped with real-time cameras carry out many of these attacks, allowing operators to identify and select specific targets with precision. In practice, real-time cameras enable operators to view potential targets and verify whether they are military or civilian. Investigators have determined that operators repeatedly use drones to attack civilians who were not participants in the hostilities.  

According to the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law, parties to an armed conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants. Civilians and civilian objects may not be targeted unless they take a direct part in hostilities. Article 51 of the Additional Protocol I prohibits indiscriminate attacks, and incidents amounting to intentionally directing attacks against civilians in an armed conflict can be constituted as a war crime.  

As a result of the destruction caused by the drone attacks, many Ukrainian localities have become unlivable and have compelled thousands of civilians to flee. The commission claimed the conduct of Russian armed forces may amount to the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population. Further updates on this issue are to arrive before the UN General Assembly in October.