How Russian drones target civilians in a small Ukrainian city | DW Documentary

Summary

The script narrates the plight of Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat, who fled their home in Beryslav, Ukraine, after relentless drone attacks. It delves into the strategic use of drones by Russian forces, causing civilian casualties, and raises questions about their intent. The report also explores the involvement of specific Russian units and the potential for war crimes, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of drone warfare and its devastating impact on innocent lives.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat moved to a quiet village in central Ukraine after their house in Beryslav was attacked by drones.
• 💥 The couple initially mistook the sounds of nature for signs of war, such as thunderstorms and wasps, for drones and explosions.
• 📉 Beryslav's population drastically reduced from 11,000 to about a thousand due to constant drone attacks and military threats.
• 🤖 Russian drones have been used to target civilian areas in Beryslav, with over a hundred strikes reported between September 2023 and July 2024.
• 👴 The majority of the drone attack casualties were elderly, suggesting that the attacks were not targeting military personnel.
• 🚁 The use of drones in the conflict has evolved, with cheaper amateur drones, like FPVs, becoming a significant threat on the battlefield.
• 💰 The cost of assembling an FPV drone is relatively low, around $500, making them accessible for widespread use in warfare.
• 🎯 Russian drone operators may have been using attacks on Beryslav to train and improve their skills, raising suspicions of intentional civilian targeting.
• ⚔️ There is evidence of 'double tap' attacks, where a second strike is made on the same target after assistance arrives, to maximize casualties.
• 📊 Three specific Russian units have been identified as operating in the area and potentially responsible for the drone attacks on Beryslav.
• 🏢 The BARS-33 volunteer battalion, associated with Russian politicians and military figures, has been involved in drone testing and attacks.

Q & A

What significant change did Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat experience after relocating to a quiet village in the Cherkasy region?

Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat, who had relocated to a quiet village in the Cherkasy region, experienced the absence of bombs, shells, or explosions, and instead, they heard nightingales singing at night, a stark contrast to the sounds of war they had left behind.

Why were the Kindrats scared during the first thunderstorm after their relocation?

The Kindrats were scared during the first thunderstorm because the sound of thunder rolling reminded them of the bombs and explosions they had experienced in Beryslav, causing them to associate the natural phenomenon with the violence of war.

What was the impact of Russian drone attacks on the city of Beryslav and its population?

The Russian drone attacks on Beryslav resulted in over a hundred civilian casualties and caused the majority of the population to flee, leaving behind only about a thousand residents, mostly the elderly or people with disabilities.

Why might Russian drones be targeting the small city of Beryslav despite its lack of significant military presence?

The targeting of Beryslav could be due to its strategic location on the Western bank of the Dnipro river, which was regained by Ukraine in the fall of 2022, forcing the Russian military to retreat. Additionally, there is a suspicion that Russian drone pilots might be using the civilian population for training purposes.

How have the drone attacks affected the daily lives of the remaining residents in Beryslav?

The remaining residents in Beryslav have been forced to drastically alter their daily routines, venturing out only after dark when drones cannot see them, and living in constant fear of being targeted by the attacks.

What is the significance of the First-Person View (FPV) drones in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine?

FPV drones, originally used for hobbies like racing or aerial photography, have become crucial in the conflict due to their ability to provide real-time imagery to the operator, making them effective for both observation and delivering explosives.

What is the cost implication of using FPV drones in warfare as mentioned in the script?

FPV drones are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, with a typical FPV drone costing around $500 to assemble, making them an affordable option for sustained warfare.

How have relief workers been affected by the drone attacks in Beryslav?

Relief workers, including those from international NGOs like World Central Kitchen, have faced increased danger, with drones targeting them and even causing casualties, such as the incident in February 2024 where two French nationals were killed.

What is the 'double tap' assault technique mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to drone attacks?

The 'double tap' assault technique involves hitting a target and then waiting for assistance to arrive before striking again to maximize harm. This has been observed in drone attacks, where Russian soldiers might wait for first responders to arrive at the scene of an attack before launching a second strike.

What evidence suggests that the drone attacks on Beryslav may constitute war crimes?

The indiscriminate use of drones against civilians, the systematic nature of the attacks, and the lack of any attempt to distinguish between civilian and military targets, as well as the intentional targeting of relief workers, all suggest that the drone attacks may amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law.

What is the connection between the Russian units stationed on the left bank of the Dnipro river and the drone attacks on Beryslav?

Three specific Russian units have been stationed on the left bank of the Dnipro river and have been seen operating drones targeting Beryslav. These include the secretive 10th Special Purpose Brigade, the 205th Infantry Brigade, and the BARS-33 volunteer battalion, which have all been implicated in the attacks.

Outlines

00:00

🕊️ Displacement and Drone Warfare in Ukraine

This paragraph introduces Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat, who fled their home in Beryslav, southern Ukraine, due to relentless drone attacks. They now reside in a quiet village in Cherkasy, where the sounds of nature have replaced the horrors of war. The paragraph details the escalation of drone attacks in Beryslav since the Russian invasion, highlighting the city's vulnerability and the tragic civilian casualties that have occurred. It raises questions about the strategic and possibly illegal targeting of civilians by Russian forces, suggesting that the attacks may be part of a training regime for drone pilots.

05:05

🔍 The Impact of Drones on Civilian Life

The second paragraph delves into the psychological and physical impact of drone attacks on civilians in Beryslav. It recounts the harrowing experience of the Kindrats, who had their home directly targeted by drones, and describes the fear induced by the buzzing of wasps, mistaken for drones. The narrative explores the evolution of drone usage in the conflict, from military to consumer-grade drones, and the transformation of these devices into lethal weapons. The paragraph also discusses the challenges faced by relief workers delivering aid to the conflict zone, who have become targets themselves, and the broader implications of the indiscriminate use of drones in warfare.

10:07

🛡️ Civil Defense and the Struggle Against Drones

This paragraph focuses on the efforts of Ukrainian forces and civilians to counter the threat of drone attacks. It describes the use of electronic anti-drone guns by a Ukrainian squad and the challenges they face as Russian forces continually modify their drones and tactics. The narrative also includes the experiences of local law enforcement and emergency responders who risk their lives to assist civilians and document the aftermath of drone strikes. The paragraph underscores the strategic 'double tap' assault technique used by Russian forces to maximize casualties and the legal perspective on the potential war crimes committed through the indiscriminate use of drones against civilians.

15:09

🏹 The Involvement of Russian Units in Drone Warfare

The fourth paragraph investigates the specific Russian units involved in drone attacks, particularly the 10th Special Purpose Brigade, the 205th Infantry Brigade, and the BARS-33 volunteer battalion. It discusses the secretive nature of these units, their public claims of responsibility for drone attacks, and their potential role in testing new drone technologies. The paragraph also implicates Russian politicians in the establishment and support of these units, suggesting a coordinated effort to bolster military capabilities and achieve strategic objectives in the conflict.

20:18

🤖 The Role of BARS-33 and the Veles Drone

This paragraph examines the role of the BARS-33 unit in drone warfare, particularly their involvement in testing and deploying a new drone model named Veles. It connects the increased drone attacks on Beryslav with the testing phase of the Veles drone and implicates Russian politicians and a company called Aero-Hit in the development and use of this technology. The narrative raises questions about the legality and ethics of using unproven military technology in real combat scenarios, especially when it results in civilian casualties.

25:20

🎯 The Consequences of Drone Warfare on Civilians

The final paragraph reflects on the broader consequences of drone warfare, especially the civilian casualties in Beryslav. It emphasizes the precision of drone technology and the responsibility that comes with it, suggesting that the high number of civilian deaths indicates a failure to discriminate between military and civilian targets. The paragraph concludes with the Kindrats' belief that the drone operators were fully aware of the civilian nature of their targets, drawing a chilling parallel between the act of warfare and a video game.

Keywords

💡Drones

Drones, in this context, refer to unmanned aerial vehicles that can be equipped with cameras or weapons. They are central to the video's theme, illustrating the modern face of warfare. In the script, drones are depicted as tools of destruction, causing fear and devastation in Beryslav, as evidenced by the Kindrats' experience and the numerous attacks that have left civilian casualties.

💡Civilian Casualties

Civilian casualties are non-combatant individuals who are injured or killed during armed conflict. The video focuses on the impact of drone attacks on civilians in Beryslav, with over a hundred strikes reported between September 2023 and July 2024, resulting in nearly 130 injured and 16 dead. This highlights the indiscriminate nature of the attacks and the violation of international humanitarian law.

💡Beryslav

Beryslav is a city in southern Ukraine that has been under attack, as mentioned in the script. It serves as a focal point for the narrative, illustrating the human cost of the conflict. The city's population has dramatically decreased due to the constant threat of drone attacks, turning it into a symbol of the war's impact on civilian life.

💡War Crime

A war crime is a serious violation of the laws and customs of war, which in this video, is suggested to be committed through the indiscriminate use of drones against civilians. The script discusses the legal perspective, raising questions about the intent of drone operators and the lack of distinction between military and civilian targets in Beryslav.

💡FPV Drones

FPV stands for First-Person View, referring to drones used for racing or aerial photography that are now repurposed for military use. The script explains how these drones, equipped with cameras, provide real-time imagery to operators, making them lethal tools in the conflict. The affordability and widespread use of FPV drones are highlighted, showing their significance in the warfare in Ukraine.

💡Double Tap

Double tap is a military tactic where an initial attack is followed by a second strike on the same target to maximize damage, often targeting those responding to the first attack. The script describes this tactic being used in drone warfare, causing additional harm and fear among the population of Beryslav.

💡International Humanitarian Law

International humanitarian law governs the conduct of armed forces during conflict and seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict. The video discusses the assessment of drone attacks under these laws, emphasizing the obligation to distinguish between military and civilian targets, and the potential for war crimes when these rules are violated.

💡Russian Military

The Russian military is a key player in the video's narrative, being implicated in the use of drones for attacks on Beryslav. The script mentions specific units, such as the 10th Special Purpose Brigade and the 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade, which have been stationed in the area and are suspected of conducting drone attacks on civilians.

💡Anti-Drone Measures

Anti-drone measures refer to the strategies and technologies used to counteract or neutralize drones. The script describes Ukrainian squads practicing with electronic anti-drone guns to repel attacks, illustrating the ongoing efforts to protect against the threat posed by drones in the conflict.

💡Humanitarian Aid Workers

Humanitarian aid workers are individuals or groups providing assistance to those affected by conflict or disaster. The video script recounts incidents where these workers were targeted by drones, highlighting the broader impact of the conflict on efforts to provide relief and the dangers faced by those attempting to help.

💡Drone Warfare

Drone warfare is a form of military conflict that involves the use of drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, or attack. The video explores the evolution of drone use in the conflict in Ukraine, from initial Ukrainian leadership to Russian adaptation and escalation, emphasizing the changing dynamics of modern warfare.

Highlights

Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat have been living in a quiet village after relocating from Beryslav due to drone attacks.

Drones have been used to attack Beryslav and its surroundings, causing over a hundred civilian casualties since the fall of 2023.

The scale and intensity of drone attacks on Beryslav are unprecedented, with most of the population having fled.

Russian forces occupied Kherson and Beryslav in 2022, but retreated after Ukraine regained control of the Western bank of the Dnipro river.

Russian soldiers warned of impending shelling after their withdrawal from Beryslav.

The population of Beryslav has shrunk to about a thousand, with most residents being elderly or disabled.

Drones initially did not target the local population but later improved and became more lethal.

There is a suspicion that Russian drones may be targeting civilians to train drone pilots.

Over a hundred drone strikes were reported in the Beryslav district between September 2023 and July 2024, resulting in civilian casualties.

FPV drones, originally for hobbyist use, are now widely used in the conflict for both observation and as weapons.

FPV drones are cost-effective, with a typical drone costing around $500 to assemble.

Russian volunteer groups manufacture and train FPV operators, as seen in posts on Telegram.

Drones have been used to target relief workers, including an attack that killed two French nationals from a Swiss NGO.

Ukrainian squads practice repelling drones with special electronic anti-drone guns.

Russian units are suspected of using 'double tap' assault techniques, striking a target and then hitting again when help arrives.

International lawyer Wayne Jordash explains that the indiscriminate use of drones can amount to a war crime.

Three specific Russian units have been identified as being involved in drone attacks on Beryslav and the surrounding area.

BARS-33, a volunteer battalion, has been assigned to test new drones, such as the Veles model.

Aero-Hit, the manufacturer of the Veles drone, is owned by a firm belonging to Senator Konstantin Basyuk and has been involved in attacks on Beryslav.

The increase in civilian casualties in Beryslav correlates with the deployment of the Veles drone by BARS-33.

Transcripts

We don't hear bombs or shells or explosions.

We hear nightingales singing at night.

It’s been six months since Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat

relocated to a quiet little village

in the Cherkasy region in central Ukraine.

The first time we heard a thunderstorm: we were so scared!

The sound of the thunder rolling

And then we heard the wasps.

To me they sounded like drones flying.

They left the city of Beryslav, in southern Ukraine,

after drones attacked their house.

Videos shared on Telegram show how Russian drones

have ravaged Beryslav and its surrounding settlements

since at least the fall of 2023

leaving behind over a hundred civilian casualties.

The scale and intensity of these attacks are unprecedented

Most of the population have left,

and sources say there’s no significant military presence.

So why are Russian drones

targeting this small city caught on the frontline?

Less than a week after Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion

of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces occupied the southern city

of Kherson and the surrounding area, including Beryslav.

But in the fall of 2022, Ukraine retook part of the region

and regained control of the Western bank of the Dnipro river

forcing the Russian military to retreat.

Residents who endured the occupation rejoiced in the streets.

But the Kindrats remember a Russian soldier

who didn’t leave without a warning:

We have two pieces of news for you, he said.

The good news: we will leave in two days.

The bad news: we're going to shell you.

And the Russians kept to that promise.

We could not go to Beryslav.

Due to the constant attacks, police closed the roads to the city.

Its population shrank from 11,000 people to about a thousand,

and those who remain are largely the elderly or people with disabilities.

We’ve been told that people try to go out only after dark,

when drones cannot see them.

When the drones first appeared, they did not hit the population

Some might have sought shelter under trees,

but mostly people were not hiding.

But then somehow these drones improved,

and they acquired military skills,

which they trained on the local population.

A horrible suspicion:

Could Russians really be attacking civilians to train drone pilots?

September 2023:

This is the aftermath of a Russian drone attack on Beryslav city center.

Explosives landed close to a shop at around 9 a.m.

Four civilians were injured, all of them between 66 and 74 years old.

Over the course of six months,

we analyzed reports of drone attacks in the Beryslav district

resulting in civilian casualties.

Between September 2023 and July 2024,

Ukrainian authorities on Telegram reported over a hundred strikes

that left nearly 130 civilians injured and 16 dead.

The total number of attacks is likely higher,

but these figures give an overview of the situation

and suggest that Russian soldiers may have used drones indiscriminately

and systematically against civilians.

Many of the reported casualties were aged 61 or older,

making it unlikely that they had engaged in military activities.

Could it be that Russian drones were deliberately targeting civilians?

It was a cold day: we were carrying coal briquettes.

People had been collecting their briquettes

and some were helping me carry ours from the garage to the barn.

This is what the Kindrats' house in Beryslav used to look like.

The river bank seen in the distance is the area where the drone operators

were likely positioned when conducting the attack.

We were just inside the barn and one guy, a neighbour,

was still inside the garage when the first kamikaze drone impacted.

It hit a high voltage line and then exploded.

We immediately ran out because we were afraid something had happened

to the guy, but he was alive.

The next day, two more landed.

They punched a hole in the garage door,

the second one went in and hit the car.

I was in the house when the first one hit.

And then immediately ran out and saw the second one flying into our garage.

Our dogs were so frightened after that.

Whenever they heard a drone they would immediately run inside.

The car was blown out and bent completely out of shape.

They have so many drones.

I can’t imagine what resources they must have to just hit some garage.

Drones have long played a crucial role in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

From large military drones that travel dozens,

sometimes hundreds of kilometers, to consumer models:

both sides use them to advance their tactics.

But the drones that have had the biggest impact

aren’t the most expensive or sophisticated ones

but rather: cheap amateur drones.

This is a First-Person View or "FPV" drone.

Originally used by hobby pilots for racing or aerial photography,

FPV drones are now everywhere on the frontlines.

Equipped with a camera,

the drone transmits to the pilot what it sees in real time.

Using a screen, goggles or a mobile device,

the operator has a clear image of the target.

FPVs are often used to observe battlefields from above.

But they, too, can be lethal.

These Ukrainian soldiers attach explosives

that can be either dropped or crashed into a target.

One of the biggest advantages of these drones is their cost.

FPV drones are relatively cheap to manufacture.

A typical FPV drone today costs around $500 to assemble.

This is Samuel Bendett, a leading drone expert.

There are probably 10s of thousands of FPVs

operating in the skies of Ukraine at any given time.

In this war, Ukraine initially took the lead in drone warfare,

but Russia quickly caught up.

This Russian volunteer group proudly posts on Telegram

how they manufacture drones and train FPV operators.

According to experts, on average,

these drones can fly up to 15 kilometers

before running out of battery or losing signal.

That means they have a reach of about 7.5 kilometers

if they drop an explosive and return to their base.

We mapped seven drone strikes in Beryslav city

that resulted in civilian casualties.

We then looked at the opposite bank of the river to narrow down the area

where these attacks originated.

This involved measuring the maximum distance it would take a drone

with explosives to hit a target in Beryslav and return to its operator.

Most seem to come from this area where Russians

have been since the beginning of the war.

In the summer of 2022, I started working here at the warehouse.

At first as a loader, like all the others,

and later I switched to the car.

Yevhen is one of many volunteers working with World Central Kitchen,

an international NGO that delivers food to those in areas under conflict.

Once a month, he travels to the Beryslav district.

Visits used to be more regular, but going there is too dangerous now.

Drones have targeted relief workers.

The first time I was hunted by a drone was in January 2024.

A freight shipper and I had headed out to Beryslav,

entered the city, and unloaded.

All was calm, everything went well.

After we had unloaded and were already back on the route back from Beryslav,

we were approaching a checkpoint.

As I drove closer to the checkpoint,

I noticed that the guys were running towards me and waving.

When I lowered the window,

I was told that I was being "escorted" by a drone.

I passed the first checkpoint without stopping,

and they had already alerted the second checkpoint.

I don’t know how long it was on my tail.

I only calmed down once I was approaching Novovorontsovka

further away from Beryslav.

It's scay, very scary.

Yevhen was fortunate that time, but others weren’t.

In February 2024, drones attacked relief workers

from a Swiss NGO on their way out of Beryslav.

After chasing the convoy,

the drones released munitions and killed two French nationals.

The NGO said the cars were clearly labelled with “no weapons” markings.

This Ukrainian squad practices in a small village north of Beryslav

how to repel drones with special electronic anti-drone guns.

Countering such attacks is difficult

Russians units keep modifying their drones and changing their tactics.

Yet this squad aims to hit as many Russian drones as possible.

They remain vigilant.

as are local security agencies.

Valery works with Beryslav’s police department.

When a drone strikes, he and his colleagues mobilize

to the scene to document everything.

When there are cases of FPV drone hits,

the first thing we do is help civilians.

As they try to help, they also risk becoming a target of a drone attack.

There have been many cases with our colleagues

During evacuations or while documenting these war crimes,

our guys have come under fire, vehicles were damaged,

and our colleagues were injured.

an assault technique commonly known as "double tapping".

After hitting a target,

the Russian soldiers wait for assistance to arrive,

and later hit a second time to maximize the harm.

Oleksander has witnessed such double tap attacks.

There was a drone attack on a man,

leaving him injured and unable to walk or move.

The drones did not let up, so we couldn't drive up to organize help.

Both officers suspect drone attacks against civilians are not accidental.

It doesn't matter if it's an individual in uniform,

whether it's a soldier or a civilian.

They are training in Beryslav.

I can say this because.

because no sane person would annihilate the civilian population.

These are new methods and means of warfare.

Wayne Jordash is an international lawyer

who advises Ukrainian prosecutors.

Drone warfare may be relatively new, but just as with any other weapon,

the indiscriminate use of drones can amount to a war crime.

You’re always going to be following the same line of assessment.

Was there an attempt to distinguish between civilian and military targets?

What was the harm to civilians which was anticipated?

Was there an accident?

What was the intent of the drone operator?

These are the questions which

essentially encompass fundamental rules

of international humanitarian law which,

if violated in a particularly serious way,

will then be classified as a war crime,

and drones are no exception to that.

Let’s take a closer look at the left bank of the Dnipro river.

Russian units rotate in and out of the area.

But three specific units have been stationed here

since drone attacks picked up

They’ve also been seen operating drones targeting Beryslav

and the surrounding area.

The 10th Special Purpose Brigade is an extremely secretive unit

under Russia’s military intelligence.

In June 2024 Ukrainian authorities opened an investigation

into one of the unit's soldiers for using a drone to target civilians.

Apart from this first documented case,

not much is known about the brigade's operations.

Except that they’ve received drones

and that there’s no indication they’ve left the area.

The 205th is an infantry brigade that has been operating

in the Kakhovka area for a long time.

On Telegram, they’ve publicly claimed responsibility

for several drone attacks in Beryslav and its surroundings

most of them targeting both military and civilian vehicles.

They’ve also been seen working closely in several missions

with a crew of drone trainers.

We collected and geolocated 15 of their attacks

they coincided with a surge in reports of civilian casualties in Beryslav.

Including this revealing post from one drone operator:

There are no civilians here

All vehicles are being destroyed

to hinder movement and deprive the enemy of mobility.

He's not making any assessment

as to how he's going to minimise civilian damage,

and effectively he's decided that any individual

is a legitimate military target.

So that comment, plus evidence of the drone being used in the way suggested,

creates not just a plausible case, but a very strong case of war crimes.

The third unit we looked into is relatively new:

BARS-33 is a volunteer battalion that bears the name of Vasily Margelov,

a Soviet World War II general.

Russia created the BARS reservist units

to compensate for military losses

and to fight alongside regular forces.

And on the south or left bank of the river,

two politicians were key in establishing BARS-33:

This is Vladimir Saldo, the governor of Russian-occupied Kherson.

Konstantin Basyuk is a former Russian intelligence agent

acting as Kherson’s senator in the Russian Federation Council.

Both men have been subjected to international sanctions.

In this photo, Basyuk stood next to

the head of the Nova Kakhovka district occupational authority,

where BARS-33 is deployed.

Basyuk and Saldo have launched numerous recruitment calls

Some of them, specifically looking for drone pilots to join

and offering volunteers a salary of roughly 2,000 euros.

They have even handed out donations to BARS-33, including drones.

But why are they doing all of this?

It's really about appealing to Putin and appealing to his demands.

This is Kateryna Stepanenko,

an analyst at the US-based Institute for the Study of War.

The Kremlin really relies on these forces

to sustain its maximalist goals,

which are essentially to capture all of Ukraine.

A wolf's head and the number 33 identify this unit.

We’ve seen members of the battalion

wearing these badges in multiple photos.

Unlike regular units, BARS-33 was established

as a state legal entity by authorities in occupied Kherson.

Company records we reviewed showed its leadership

has changed on multiple occasions.

Current acting director is Alexander Nedoruban.

In late 2023, Russian media referred to him as First Deputy Minister

of Culture in occupied Kherson

It’s unclear whether he has any military experience.

But one thing is clear

BARS-33 does not only specialize in using drones in attacks.

The unit has also been assigned to test them.

So the irregular forces have been almost pioneering

some of the new modern military equipment.

There's a systematic bottleneck within the Russian Ministry of Defense

when it comes to research and development.

At the same time as reports of drone attacks on Beryslav increased,

Russian politicians said BARS-33

had started testing a new drone in the area.

the unit conducting attacks on the city using this new drone.

Its name - Veles.

One of Russia’s attempts to produce a domestic drone.

BARS-33 posted videos of using this drone to hit what it claims

are Ukrainian military targets.

We geolocated these strikes and confirmed the area under fire

is also Beryslav and its surroundings.

The company that manufactures Veles is located at this airport

in the far east of Russia. It’s called Aero-Hit.

Company records reveal that Aero-Hit

is owned by a firm belonging to Senator Konstantin Basyuk.

But it's not just the papertrail pointing to the Russian politicians

in annexed Kherson.

Here we can see Saldo and Basyuk visiting the company’s headquarters.

Despite being relatively new, the drone got a lot of attention

including from Vladimir Putin.

In January 2024 the model was formally presented to him.

One developer of the Veles drone celebrated the Kremlin’s approval:

He also shared a post suggesting that the Russian Ministry of Defense

has criteria for approving drones

such as accumulating hundreds of hours of flight time,

and combat testing on the frontline.

It has to fly a certain distance,

it has to carry a certain amount of cargo ammunition.

It has to perform in a certain way when faced

with certain countermeasures including electronic warfare

It has to be a solution, Out-of-the-box right away.

Publicly there isn’t any official information on such criteria.

But according to the current CEO of Aero-Hit, Viktor Yatsenko,

BARS-33 has recorded over 400 successful combat deployments

of the Veles drone in the Kherson Region

and that the volunteer battalion is the company’s ‘target customer’.

These drone deployments occurred as attacks on civilians

in Beryslav increased dramatically.

Both the CEO and Aero-Hit are subject to international sanctions.

Confronted with our findings, Aero-Hit said it was a non-military company

and did not cooperate with the Ministry of Defense.

We are unable to determine exactly who is directly responsible

for the drone attacks that have left so many civilian casualties

in Beryslav and nearby communities.

But we do know that these three units have been operating in the area.

And that both the 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade

and BARS-33 targeted Beryslav with drones.

While the number of civilian casualties increased.

We are talking about attacks

in which a soldier has a clear view of the target.

You have a highly discriminate weapon

and therefore you ought to be able to discriminate in a very cogent

and convincing way, and therefore the room for accident,

the room for incidental damage ought to be significantly less.

Lyubov and Volodymyr Kindrat

haven’t been back to Beryslav since the attack.

But they have no doubt that the Russian drone operators

involved knew exactly what they were doing.

It’s a game.

Yes.

Like a computer game, as if they were sitting there and playing.

But for real.

On living targets.