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Russian Terror Tactics: Kherson Bus Drivers Targeted in Brutal Drone Campaign

Moscow's forces are deliberately hunting civilian transport in a relentless assault on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Foreign PolicyPublished May 31, 2026 at 11:40 PMProcessed June 1, 2026 at 1:16 AM
A man stands in front of a bus with the number 5 on the front wearing sunglasses and a grey t-shirt.

In the city of Kherson, Ukrainian bus drivers are facing a daily gauntlet of death as Russian forces turn public transit into a primary target for drone strikes. These cowardly attacks have escalated significantly, with Russian operators now utilizing advanced fiber-optic-guided drones that evade traditional electronic jamming.

The human cost is mounting: three municipal transport workers have been murdered this year alone, with dozens of vehicles destroyed and scores of civilians wounded.

The brutality of these tactics is underscored by the deliberate targeting of first responders, including a horrific incident where an ambulance was struck while attempting to aid wounded transport workers.

Despite the constant threat of being hunted by drones, these drivers continue their essential work, providing a lifeline for the remaining 65,000 residents who rely on them to reach pharmacies and hospitals.

While local authorities have attempted to mitigate the danger with anti-drone nets, protective gear, and detection technology, the reality remains that Russian forces are actively engaging in a campaign of terror against non-combatants.

This is not warfare; it is the systematic targeting of civilians by an aggressor that has abandoned the basic tenets of international law.

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ukrainerussiawarfarekhersonforeign-policy

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