In Kharkiv region, Russian forces set drone ambushes on civilians — Ukrainian Armed Forces
Russian troops continue drone attacks against civilians in Kharkiv region. The occupiers not only target civilians with drones but also set up “ambushes” with drones against those who come to help the wounded.
This was reported by the press service of the 77th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces.
According to the brigade, on December 11, 2025, on the road between Novoplatonivka and Borova in Kharkiv region, a Russian FPV drone deliberately attacked a civilian traveling on a motorcycle. There were no military targets nearby.
Afterward, Russian forces set up a drone “ambush”: they placed a so-called “waiting drone” near the site of the attack to strike anyone coming to help the injured civilian.
“This is not combat. This is a deliberate trap aimed at killing civilians and those who rescue them. Such actions are explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law and violate all basic principles of conducting warfare,” the statement said.
Witnesses to the attack were drone operators from the 77th Brigade, who promptly destroyed the Russian “waiting drone” with a precision strike, preventing a second attack on civilians.
According to the military, this was already the fifth attack of this type in the brigade’s area of responsibility. These attacks are carried out by Russian forces from the 2nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 1st Tank Army of the occupying forces.
“Russians control the road with drones and deliberately strike along the route used by local residents for evacuation… Each episode is further proof that Russia continues its war not only against defenders but also against civilians simply trying to survive,” the statement said.
