Civilian buses face the danger of Russian assaults in Ukraine conflict
The ongoing conflict in Kherson, Ukraine, continues to take a heavy toll on its residents, with Russian forces using drones to target civilians, including public transport like buses, as part of a terror campaign against the city's population.
According to Human Rights Watch, Russia has deliberately or recklessly launched drone attacks using commercially available drones rigged with explosives and antipersonnel landmines, causing significant disruption to daily life and forcing thousands to flee the city. The population of neighbourhoods like the Dniprovskyi district and the Antonivka suburb has fallen by about half between May and December 2024.
Micha, a bus driver in Kherson, shared his concerns, stating that all bus drivers in the city risk their lives and the lives of their passengers on every trip. Passengers on the buses share the same sentiment, with one passenger expressing that drones are always flying above them while on the bus, creating an atmosphere of heavy fear.
The ongoing threat has left many travelers in Kherson feeling nervous all the time, especially when on a bus. Despite this, life in Kherson continues, with residents trying to survive the conflict and find moments of relief when they reach their destinations. However, the anxiety of travelers who haven't finished their journey remains palpable.
As of early July 2025, recent drone strikes have mostly targeted various Ukrainian cities and military infrastructure. However, Russian drone attacks remain a persistent threat near Kherson and surrounding areas. The Ukrainian air defenses intercept many of the drones, but not all, leaving the city's residents in a constant state of uncertainty.
This campaign of terror has severely disrupted daily life and the ability of residents to safely travel within the region. The ongoing conflict continues to be a grave concern for the people of Kherson, with the hope that peace will soon return and the threat of drone attacks will cease.
[1] Human Rights Watch Report, 2024 [2] Ukrainian Ministry of Defence Update, 2025 [3] BBC News Report, 2025
General news outlets are reporting an ongoing threat of drone attacks in the region, with Kherson, Ukraine, remaining a focal point. [2] The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence Update, 2025, and [3] BBC News Report, 2025, confirm that while air defenses intercept many drones, not all are destroyed, leaving residents in a state of uncertainty. [1] Human Rights Watch Report, 2024, notes this terror campaign using drones has disrupted daily life, causing significant disruption and forcing thousands to flee, especially in neighborhoods like the Dniprovskyi district and the Antonivka suburb. Politics surrounding the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine continue to intensify, with the well-being and safety of its residents at the forefront of global concerns.
