While isolated episodes were recorded during the initial stage of the full-scale invasion, the use of drones became massive in 2024–2026, with over 11,000 short-range UAV attacks recorded, UNN reports, citing the Prosecutor General's Office.
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Russia is increasingly using unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly FPV drones, not as a means of combat, but as a tool of targeted terror against the civilian population.
Prosecutors and investigators are recording numerous cases where drones are directed at residential neighborhoods, civilian vehicles, critical infrastructure facilities, hospitals, crowded places, as well as emergency service workers during the mitigation of attack consequences.
Such actions bear the hallmarks of a gross violation of international humanitarian law and are qualified as war crimes.
According to law enforcement agencies, the number of criminal proceedings regarding attacks using short-range drones is growing rapidly. In 2024, 2,427 such attacks were recorded; in 2025, there are already 6,771 criminal proceedings. In the first four months of 2026 alone, 2,010 criminal proceedings have been registered
As reported by the Prosecutor General's Office, this indicates not isolated episodes of hostilities, but a systemic, repetitive, and organized practice of using drones against civilians.
Consistent patterns of strikes are being recorded: targeted use of FPV drones against people in open spaces, at public transport stops, near residential buildings and infrastructure facilities; repeated strikes on impact sites after the arrival of emergency services; attacks on shuttle buses, private cars, and other civilian transport that has no military significance. A particular threat is posed by repeated, so-called "double-tap" strikes. They are carried out after rescuers, medics, and police officers arrive at the scene of the attack. This may indicate intentional targeting of those who save lives and mitigate the consequences of shelling
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, 34 criminal proceedings have currently been registered regarding attacks on emergency service workers while they were performing their duties in the combat zone or during the mitigation of UAV strike consequences. Of these, 9 proceedings concern attacks on State Emergency Service workers, and 25 on medical workers.
As a result of these attacks, 52 medical workers were injured, three of whom died. Additionally, 20 State Emergency Service workers were injured.
Furthermore, 95 criminal proceedings are being investigated regarding drone attacks on employees of the National Police of Ukraine. As a result of these strikes, 167 police officers were wounded, and four died. The attacks occurred during the evacuation of the population, response to shelling, performance of duty, and movement through the territory of settlements.
Due to UAV strikes, 52 units of specialized transport were damaged: 44 emergency medical vehicles and 8 fire and rescue vehicles.
Analysis of criminal proceedings indicates a clear trend toward increasing intensity of such attacks. While isolated episodes were recorded at the initial stage of the full-scale invasion, the use of drones became massive in 2024–2026. Currently, in certain periods, law enforcement officers register up to 45–50 criminal proceedings per day. The nature of the attacks themselves is also changing. The enemy increasingly uses precision strike tools—FPV drones and UAVs equipped with remote munition drop systems. A particular threat is posed by fiber-optic FPV drones, which are more difficult to detect and neutralize with electronic warfare means
The Prosecutor General's Office added that the situation in the Kherson region is the most indicative. In the de-occupied territories of the region, law enforcement officers registered 5,303 criminal proceedings regarding attacks by drones of various modifications on civilian infrastructure.
As a result of these attacks, 287 civilians died, including children. Another 2,549 people were injured, including 41 children.
The city of Kherson alone accounts for 127 dead and 1,754 wounded. This is 44% of the total number of dead and almost 69% of all those wounded as a result of drone attacks in the region.