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Warning: Distressing content

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Why it worked

The video likely performed well due to its shocking and emotionally charged content, depicting a clear act of aggression against a civilian. The "human safari" framing adds a disturbing and memorable element, while the personal testimony of the victim and the condemnation by political figures lend it credibility and urgency.

Summary

This video shows a Russian drone attacking a Ukrainian street vendor in Kherson, an event described as a "human safari." The vendor, Yuriy, survived the attack with shrapnel wounds, and the incident has been called a war crime by Ukraine's foreign minister.

Structure

1Drone attacks street vendor in Kherson
2Vendor describes the attack and his attempt to prove innocence
3Drone hits the vendor's vehicle
4Vendor survives with shrapnel wounds
5Explanation of 'human safari' attacks
6Broader context of the threat in Kherson

Product placement

BBC: This is a news organization. It merely appears as a watermark and in the creator's name and bio. Removing it would not change what happens in the video. Kherson Regional Military Administration: This is an administrative body. It merely appears as text on screen. Removing it would not change what happens in the video.

On-screen text

Posted on 04.08.2026 Kherson Regional Military Administration Warning: Distressing content Russian drone chases Ukrainian street vendor in 'human safari' attack a drone chases a Ukrainian vegetable seller in Kherson. The video was shared by Ukraine's President Zelensky, and a warning, to see is distressing. The man's name is Yuriy. He says he was setting up his stall when the drone arrived and started chasing him. He says he even showed his vegetables to the drone to prove there was no reason to attack him. A drone hit his vehicle. Amazingly, he survived and Yuriy was left with shrapnel wounds. graphic examples of what Ukrainians call the human safari, where civilians, not PAUL ADAMS BBC Correspondent soldiers, are tracked down and attacked by drones piloted from Russian positions across the river. People in Kherson have been living with this threat ever since the city was liberated at the end of 2022. The incident has been described as a barbaric war crime by Ukraine's foreign minister. President Zelensky said the world needed to see how Russian soldiers enjoyed killing and tormenting people.

Original caption

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the video - showing a terrified civilian being hounded by a remotely-controlled drone - amounted to a war crime. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and denies targeting civilians. #Ukraine #Russia #Drones #BBCNews