Russian Drones Devastate Beryslav: A Closer Look
In February 2024, Russian drones caused chaos for Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat by crashing into their home and damaging their property. These drones have been wreaking havoc in Beryslav, Ukraine, since the fall of 2023, with over a hundred attacks resulting in numerous civilian casualties. DW’s investigation reveals that these drones were potentially used systematically against civilians by the Russian military.
The investigative team collected data and conducted interviews with various experts, shedding light on the indiscriminate nature of these attacks. Witnesses described the drones’ presence as part of a chilling “computer game,” targeting living individuals. Survivors recounted being “hunted down” by these drones, leading to a mass exodus from Beryslav, now resembling a ghost town.
Three units, including a secretive brigade and a volunteer group, were identified as potential operators of these drones. The use of advanced FPV drones, like the “Veles,” launched by BARS-33, has intensified the conflict, violating international humanitarian law. DW’s findings point to these units as responsible for the targeted attacks on civilians.
Despite the evidence, those implicated have not responded. The atrocities in Beryslav underscore the urgent need to hold accountable those perpetrating war crimes using these deadly drones.