In Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Russia terrorizes civilians with'safari-style' attacks

Two Russian bombs that hit Kateryna Lahuta’s seafood business last month in Ukraine’s southeast city of Zaporizhzhia shattered the last semblances of security for this 41-year old entrepreneur.

Moscow has been hammering Zaporizhzhia with drones and missiles since the early weeks of its 2022 invasion. This is a major manufacturing city that houses around 700,000 people.

A new wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities has made the lives of residents even more dangerous. This is part and parcel of Russia's air war on Ukraine, which has been escalating as it makes slow progress in the frontlines.

"Even a half year ago, it was still frightening, of course. And there were strikes. Lahuta said, "But it wasn't this way." "Now, it's a safari." Ukrainians use the term "safari" to describe drones that 'hunt down' vehicles or civilians in the streets. This reality was brought into stark relief by a video released this week, which showed a drone chasing and injuring a vegetable vendor in the southern Ukrainian town of Kherson. Reporters visiting Lahuta’s business were forced to take cover when they heard the buzzing noise of a First-person-View (FPV) Drone -- small, agile helicopters drones that are loaded with explosives. They can be controlled by video and have turned Ukraine's front line into a "kill-zone".

Attacks aimed at scathing the public

Russia denies that it has targeted civilians during the war which began with its full-scale invasion in Ukraine in 2022.

Standing in the charred remains of the processing plant that supplied her store, Lahuta said Russian attack had driven customers away and made planning for the future near impossible. The need for soldiers also meant that labour was in short supply.

Every day is a battle.

Officials claim that Russia wants to create panic and damage infrastructure by increasing the frequency of strikes in the city. It is not only using FPVs, but also larger and more destructive glide bombs.

Zaporizhzhia, the capital of Zaporizhzhia, is one of four Ukrainian provinces that Russia claims as its own despite only controlling three quarters.

The Russian military failed to advance in a narrow corridor, south of Kiev's city. In recent months, the Ukrainian military had put up a stiff resistance.

Governor Ivan Fedorov said that Russian FPV drones were 'attacking groups civilians, vehicles, and public transport in particular, especially the south of the city.

He said this during an interview conducted in a bomb shelter-style underground school.

Air-launched glidebombs, like those that hit Lahuta's company, cannot be intercepted unless more advanced air defences are developed.

The Russian Defence Ministry didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. According to the United Nations more than 16,000 civilians were killed during the nearly four and a half years of fighting. The overwhelming majority of these victims are Ukrainians.

KILLER DRONES TARGET ZAPORIZHZHIA BUSES

Cafes and commuters in central Zaporizhzhia give a feeling of normality, despite the frequent air raid alerts. Even on Friday evenings the city is subdued.

Many office and residential building in the vicinity of the engine-building giant Motor Sich bear the scars from repeated bombardment.

In southern Kosmos, drone netting is being installed on roads to protect them from FPV drones which have been hitting vehicle roofs and windshields in the past few weeks.

Two private bus drivers who drive a route serving Kosmos say that an increase in attacks has frightened both drivers and passengers.

One of the drivers who refused to reveal his name said that drone nets "won't protect you from big ones". Fedorov stated that less than 5% enemy FPV drones are able to get past Ukrainian air defences. On the worst days - which are usually several times per month - that could still be up to 10 drones injuring or damaging people.

Volodymyr Sukachov, director of the city transit authority, has revealed that they have begun testing new shatterproof glasses and giving drone monitors to bus drivers.

He said that 12 city buses or tramcars were damaged this year by FPVs and blasts of larger munitions. However, there are no plans to reduce service.

Ania 'Syvova', a 34 year old seamstress whose husband is in the military, witnessed an FPV drone slam a bus as she returned home last month to the southern part of the city. She said, "Maybe I've got a good angel," with a smile.

Residents learn to live with danger

Syvova said that she and her 6-year-old child had learned to adapt to daily dangers.

She said, "It's awful but we are used to it." "We don't have a new one for?now."

Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv (northeast Ukraine), said that Russia uses similar tactics to attack other frontline cities like Kharkiv. FPV drones have "become one of the main weapons of terror" in Kharkiv.

He claimed that 45 strikes were registered in the last month.

Fedorov stated that Russia also has been?attacking Zaporizhzhia between four and six times each day with glide-bombs?, which he described flying unpredictable.

He told Ukrainian TV that on Sunday, eight bombs were dropped by Russia in an hour-and-a-half, killing one and wounding 31.

Residents have described recent attacks as taking place between noon and early evening.

Tetiana (38), a government employee from Russia, told reporters outside her destroyed apartment building that Russian forces had "gone crazy" and bombed the neighbourhood six times in a single week last month.

She was torn about whether she wanted to stay or go, as people depended on her to keep the services running.

She said "I'm already completely empty" as she glanced at the charred car shells littering her courtyard.

"No emotions." "No emotions."

(source: Reuters)