February 12, 2026
“Stepping outside your apartment is a mortal risk”: Russian forces target civilians as the Kremlin’s “human safari” in Kherson continues
Russian shelling killed 712 residents of Ukraine’s Kherson region in the years 2024-2025, wounding an additional 4,175. This past December also saw a devastating Russian strike that knocked the local thermal power plant offline, leaving more than 40,000 residents without heat. Kherson has been enduring Russian military aggression for nearly four years, but the attacks have grown steadily more intense — and deadly — since Russian forces were driven to the opposite bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022. Residents of the region told The Insider how they are coping with the freezing temperatures, moving into underground bomb shelters, and helping one another.
TL;DR
- Russian shelling and drone attacks in Kherson resulted in 712 deaths and 4,175 injuries in 2024-2025.
- A strike in December knocked out the local thermal power plant, leaving over 40,000 residents without heat.
- Residents are using underground bomb shelters and modular boiler houses for heating and safety.
- Public transportation is limited due to drone strikes on buses, and personal safety is a major concern for all outdoor activities.
- The concept of a 'human safari' has emerged, describing deliberate Russian drone attacks on civilians.
- Volunteers and activists are providing essential services, including distributing aid, installing drone detection systems, and organizing community events.
- Life in Kherson has largely moved underground, with shelters used for living, studying, and medical care.
- Despite the dangers, residents are showing resilience, adapting to survival tactics and maintaining a sense of community.
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