UN Report Finds Russian Drone Strikes on Ukrainian Civilians Constitute War Crimes

A United Nations-commissioned investigation has concluded that Russian drone strikes on civilians in Ukraine amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, intensifying global scrutiny of Moscow’s military tactics in the 18-month-long conflict.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the UN Human Rights Council, found that Russian forces have deliberately targeted civilians and critical infrastructure across the Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions using low-cost, explosive-laden drones. The report detailed evidence of repeated strikes on civilian gathering points, rescue workers, and residential areas — patterns that investigators said demonstrate intent rather than collateral damage.

According to the findings, over 200 civilians have been killed and more than 2,000 injured in drone attacks over the past year. The commission reviewed hundreds of videos, satellite images, and eyewitness testimonies to verify the consistency and frequency of these attacks. One resident described living under constant fear, saying, “It’s like a lottery — you never know when a drone will strike next.”

The report also accused Russian forces of conducting “double-tap” strikes, where drones returned to attack first responders aiding victims, a tactic previously condemned in other conflict zones. The commission stated that these actions form part of a “widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population,” meeting the legal threshold for crimes against humanity, including murder and forcible transfer.

Russia has rejected the UN inquiry, dismissing it as politically biased and refusing to cooperate with investigators. Despite repeated requests, the commission said it was denied access to Russian-held territories and military data.

The UN findings are expected to fuel calls for greater international accountability, with rights experts urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expand its investigation into drone warfare tactics.

“The use of drones to terrorize civilians represents a new dimension of brutality in modern warfare,” the report noted, warning that unchecked impunity could embolden similar tactics elsewhere.

As the conflict continues, the UN emphasized the urgent need for accountability mechanisms and humanitarian protection, stressing that civilians remain the primary victims in what it called “a campaign of fear and devastation.”