Kherson and the Drones: An Everyday Horror
Welcome back, dear readers! Today, we dive into the absolute madness unfolding in Kherson, where the only thing more intrusive than your nosy neighbor is the Russian army declaring open season… on pedestrians. Yes, you heard me right! The Russian army has unilaterally declared most of the southern Ukrainian provincial capital a military zone, which effectively means everyone—from grandmothers to groundhogs—are now targets. Fantastic, isn’t it? Think of it as Russia’s version of an all-you-can-shoot buffet!
As reported by Wessel de Jong, our brave correspondent in Ukraine, the streets of Kherson have turned into a particularly macabre version of a shooting gallery, where Russian drones have been mercilessly hunting down civilians since July. One older lady waiting for her bus, having just finished her shopping, encapsulated the essence of this grim situation: “Of course, who isn’t afraid of drones?” Now that’s just charming! I mean, if she isn’t afraid, I’d definitely worry about her sense of self-preservation.
Random Attacks: Yes, It’s Still the Daily Grind
Imagine starting your day, brewing your coffee, deciding what to wear, and then—wham!—you have Russian drones as your new morning alarm. A local ambulance worker described the situation with palpable indignation, saying, “What kind of life do we have?” and isn’t that the million-dollar question? It’s like saying, “What kind of life do we have in a zombie apocalypse?”—only here the zombies are flying and packing a punch!
Random drone attacks have skyrocketed since July, with September alone seeing a staggering 2,700 attacks, leading to injuries and, tragically, several fatalities. It’s difficult to keep your insurance in check when your biggest risk is being taken out by a drone while trying to buy a bag of potatoes! And let’s be honest, those potatoes were probably going to make a lovely soup.
Victims of Terror: A Daily Dose of Despair
The stories keep getting bleaker. Take the teenager Kira, for instance, who was just trying to be a diligent dental assistant but found herself frozen in fear under a hovering drone. One can only wonder, if only our dental plans covered “drones of doom,” the world might be a happier place. But I digress!
Yevhen Levanchenko, who still has a leg that’s more shrapnel than flesh after a drone encounter while repairing roofs, epitomizes the resilience of the Kherson locals. “Someone has to do this work. I was born here,” he says, rolling up his trouser legs to show off his injuries. Talk about a tough sell at family gatherings. “Hey, want to see something cool? My leg looks like a mosaic!”
The Psychological Warfare: Instilling Fear, One Drone at a Time
The attacks are designed for more than just chaos—they’re brazen acts of psychological warfare. “To instill fear,” as Yevhen’s boss put it succinctly. And what could be more terrifying than living with the knowledge that a drone could swoop down at any moment like a vulture ready for a snack? That’ll keep you on your toes—or at least keep you glued to your morning coffee cup in sheer anxiety!
Canopy and Air Raid Shelters: Nifty But Not So Cozy!
The ingenuity of the locals is commendable. They’ve set up canopies for cover, lunching out of sight from those hypothetical drones in the sky. But here’s a fun fact: living under the constant threat of drone strikes means your daily life becomes a game of hide and seek, except the seeking could mean your life! Ah, the joys of modern living.
Despite efforts from the local council to combat this aerial menace—complete with anti-drone teams and disrupted radio signals—it seems like the sky remains a battleground. So, next time you think about exercising your right to a little sky-gazing, spare a thought for Kherson. They have enough drama up there already!
To summarize, while we sit comfortably in our armchairs sipping tea and debating whether toast should be served with butter or jam, the people of Kherson are facing a grim reality. Their bravery? Nothing short of inspirational. Their situation? Unimaginably harrowing. Let’s hope for some respite, or at the very least, that the next drone to discover them is the UFO they’ve been waiting for—preferably with a better sense of humor and some pizza!
The Russian military has imposed a unilateral declaration of a military zone over the majority of Kherson, a southern provincial capital of Ukraine. Within this perilous zone, all residents and visitors find themselves subject to potential targeting, creating an overwhelming atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
An elderly woman stands vulnerably at a bus stop on Mykhail Hrushevsky Street, directly across from Kherson’s bustling central market. After completing her shopping, she expresses a resigned sense of dread. “Now I’m going home and waiting for the bus. It’s terrible, but I have to,” she remarks. When asked about her fear of drones, her response is immediate and laden with emotion: “Of course, who isn’t afraid of them?”
Russian drones mercilessly pursue vulnerable pedestrians, cyclists, and even unsuspecting passenger vehicles. This terrifying aerial hunt began in July and has transformed local civilians into perceived outlaws. Despite the harrowing conditions, approximately 70,000 residents still choose to endure life in the city, a significant drop from nearly 290,000 prior to the onset of war, with about three-quarters of the population having fled.
Random attacks
An ambulance worker, who normally aids those in need, speaks out with indignation, stating, “We are constantly bombed. Drones are now our relentless bombardiers. Ordinary citizens’ vehicles are frequently targeted. What kind of life do we have?”
The drones predominantly focus on populated areas, especially places like bus stops where people gather, including the stop where around twenty individuals wait for transportation. Located on the city’s outskirts, this area sees fewer drone attacks, yet the unpredictability of drone pilots often results in dangerous outings for residents.
This apprehension is justified, as the frequency of indiscriminate drone assaults has soared dramatically since July. In September alone, there were 2,700 recorded drone attacks, which resulted in 147 injuries and a heartbreaking six fatalities.
Yet another trial
The ongoing aerial threat poses yet another significant challenge for Kherson. In 2022, the city endured months of occupation by Russian forces, marked by brutality and inhumanity towards the local population, with many residents facing torture and physical abuse.
My legs still hurt. My ear is plugged and ringing, but someone has to do this work.
Yevhen Levanchenko, roofer in Kherson
After Kherson was liberated, the city faced a new wave of destruction following artillery shelling and catastrophic flooding due to the Russians’ detonation of the Kachovka dam in the Dnipro River. Now, the emerging threat of Russian drones adds yet another layer of peril to the already beleaguered city.
Seventeen-year-old Kira, adorned with white headphones, stands alone, gently swaying to the rhythm of her music as she navigates the harsh realities of life in Kherson while pursuing her studies to become a dental assistant. “Every day I go to work. And every day they fly, the drones,” she remarks, her voice tinged with unease.
Kira has had her own frightening encounters with drones. “One time, I was walking to work and there was a drone hovering above me. I started crying, honestly. I just froze. I didn’t know what was going to happen. But, fortunately, it flew on,” she says, laughter nervously escaping her lips.
Instill fear
Conversely, Yevhen Levanchenko has suffered injuries as a result of this ongoing aerial assault. As a municipal worker tasked with roof repairs, he rolls up his trouser legs to reveal his shrapnel wounds. “My legs still hurt. My ear is closed and ringing. I have difficulty hearing on my left side,” he explains, highlighting the personal toll of living under drone surveillance.
Yevhen’s injuries prompted his wife to return from Odesa to care for him, underlining the pervasive impact of the conflict on families. He states resolutely, “Someone has to do this work. I was born here.” His boss, Maksim Kurchyk, observes, “They don’t search for military targets at all. They dive on everything they see,” emphasizing the indiscriminate nature of these attacks.
For Kurchyk, the intention behind these aerial assaults is clear: “To instill fear. To spread terror so that people leave the city.” Although some residents are departing, many remain. Certain parts of the city have become unsafe for public access, marking a profound change in the daily lives of those who choose to stay.
Canopy and air raid shelter
In response to the ongoing drone threat, a large canopy has been erected on a municipal site, providing shelter for workers during their break meals, keeping them hidden from the prying eyes of overhead drones. Alongside this, an air raid shelter equipped with a robust door has been established, a necessary precaution driven by the harsh realities of life under threat.
Kurchyk recounts the harrowing experience of fleeing a drone attack, emphasizing the importance of securing the shelter: “You have to close the door properly, because they can fly in.” The city council is actively working against drone incursions, installing warning signs throughout Kherson and deploying anti-drone teams equipped with advanced air defense systems.
Efforts to disrupt radio waves aim to impair the drones’ operational capabilities, yet this task is becoming increasingly challenging amidst an ongoing battle for frequency control. “In the beginning, it was calm when there were strong winds or clouds, but now they always fly, rain or shine,” Kurchyk laments, conveying the relentless nature of the threat faced by Kherson’s residents.
They focus on civilians, on the people who are just trying to live their lives. It’s not just about destroying infrastructure; this is about creating an atmosphere of fear. That’s the new battlefield.”
The tragic irony is that this urban warfare, played out in the skies above, has transformed ordinary activities into life-threatening endeavors. The simple act of waiting at a bus stop, visiting the local market, or commuting to work is now a high-stakes game where survival is the only goal. Those who remain in Kherson live with the constant backdrop of anxiety, negotiating their fate moment by moment.
While the world watches with bated breath as this conflict evolves, the people of Kherson endure with a resilience that is both heartbreaking and admirable. As they navigate the dangers of daily life under the shadows of drones, their stories become emblematic of the strength and spirit of those caught in the crossfire of war. The hope for a brighter future persists, even amid the darkest clouds of despair.
The Call for Solidarity
As we absorb these tragic tales, it’s vital to extend our solidarity to those in affected regions. The bravery of individuals like Yevhen and Kira not only highlights their resilience but also reminds us of the responsibility we share in advocating for peace and supporting those in dire need. Although it may seem distant from our comfortable realities, the plight of civilians in conflict zones should resonate within us, urging collective action and empathy.
the drone attacks in Kherson tell one of the many harrowing stories of civilians enduring the trials of war. From shrapnel wounds to psychological terror, the impacts of these aerial assaults are far-reaching and devastating. It’s crucial to keep the conversation alive, to remember those affected, and to hope for a resolution that allows the people of Kherson— and all those in war zones— to rebuild their lives free from fear.
Let’s continue to share their stories, advocate for their safety, and strive for a world where such dire circumstances are a remnant of the past rather than a present-day reality.