A Russian 'Drone Siege' Threatens to Cut Off the Ukrainian City of Kherson
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The only road connecting the Ukrainian city of Kherson to the rest of the country came close to being shut on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, after the Russian drone attacks on civilian vehicles escalated, leading to the first drone siege in modern warfare. With the main road closed, the city risks becoming a trap for 60,000 civilians.
"On the M-14 Kherson-Mykolaiv highway, traffic restrictions are possible," wrote Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of Kherson Regional Military Administration. "In case enemy drones are detected, the road will be temporarily closed. Please take this into account when planning trips and, if possible, choose an alternative route. Together with the military, we are doing everything possible to stabilise the situation."
Former MP and serviceman Ihor Lutsenko wrote about the "drone semi-encirclement" of Kherson. The Russian press widely covered the "air siege" of Kherson.
Kherson, a regional capital located on the right bank of the Dnipro River in the South of Ukraine, was occupied by the Russian troops in March 2022 and liberated nine months later, enduring constant shelling and bombing since its liberation.
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Due to its proximity to the Russian forces, the city became the stage for the world's first "human safari," first-person-view (FPV) drone attacks on civilians, as first reported by Byline Times in July 2024. This new form of warfare is now recognised as a war crime and a crime against humanity by the United Nations and Human Rights Watch.
One year later, the tactics of drone attacks mark a new stage in Russia's assault on the city. This horrifying tactic - a drone siege - opens a new chapter in human and military history.
Cutting Off Supplies
The M14 highway, linking Kherson to Mykolaiv and further west to Odesa, is the city's only secure road connection to Ukraine-controlled territory. The highway is located approximately 20 km from the Russian military positions. The only alternative road to supply Kherson, located in proximity, is also under drone attacks.
Every day for the last two months, civilian vehicles on the M14 highway have been hit by explosives dropped by various types of drones. On August 25, a drone hit a prosecutor's office vehicle on the M14 highway. A 58-year-old driver and a 38-year-old prosecutor were injured and hospitalized. Later, two more drone strikes occurred - no injuries were reported, but the cars were destroyed by fire. On August 26, several vehicles were damaged, a family, a 47-year-old healthcare manager and a 38-year-old doctor were injured, said Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, head of the press office of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration in an interview with this paper.
"Since attacks on the M14 have increased, the police will control traffic until we ensure traffic safety," said Tolokonnikov.
Drone strikes also ignite dry fields along the roadside, spreading flames through farmland and creating thick plumes of smoke, further disrupting transit in the area.
The drone siege of the Kherson road comes amid broader Russian efforts to escalate military attacks on the city of Kherson. A Ukrainian military source speaking to Byline Times on condition of anonymity reported that up to 30-80 drones are attacking the area daily. Drones are used to drop explosives and anti-personnel mines on city streets and infrastructure. Fires have been reported across Kherson's suburbs, and critical facili...
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The only road connecting the Ukrainian city of Kherson to the rest of the country came close to being shut on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, after the Russian drone attacks on civilian vehicles escalated, leading to the first drone siege in modern warfare. With the main road closed, the city risks becoming a trap for 60,000 civilians.
"On the M-14 Kherson-Mykolaiv highway, traffic restrictions are possible," wrote Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of Kherson Regional Military Administration. "In case enemy drones are detected, the road will be temporarily closed. Please take this into account when planning trips and, if possible, choose an alternative route. Together with the military, we are doing everything possible to stabilise the situation."
Former MP and serviceman Ihor Lutsenko wrote about the "drone semi-encirclement" of Kherson. The Russian press widely covered the "air siege" of Kherson.
Kherson, a regional capital located on the right bank of the Dnipro River in the South of Ukraine, was occupied by the Russian troops in March 2022 and liberated nine months later, enduring constant shelling and bombing since its liberation.
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Receive the monthly Byline Times newspaper and help to support fearless, independent journalism that breaks stories, shapes the agenda and holds power to account.
PAY ANNUALLY - £39.50 A YEAR
PAY MONTHLY - £3.75 A MONTH
MORE OPTIONS
We're not funded by a billionaire oligarch or an offshore hedge-fund. We rely on our readers to fund our journalism. If you like what we do, please subscribe.
Due to its proximity to the Russian forces, the city became the stage for the world's first "human safari," first-person-view (FPV) drone attacks on civilians, as first reported by Byline Times in July 2024. This new form of warfare is now recognised as a war crime and a crime against humanity by the United Nations and Human Rights Watch.
One year later, the tactics of drone attacks mark a new stage in Russia's assault on the city. This horrifying tactic - a drone siege - opens a new chapter in human and military history.
Cutting Off Supplies
The M14 highway, linking Kherson to Mykolaiv and further west to Odesa, is the city's only secure road connection to Ukraine-controlled territory. The highway is located approximately 20 km from the Russian military positions. The only alternative road to supply Kherson, located in proximity, is also under drone attacks.
Every day for the last two months, civilian vehicles on the M14 highway have been hit by explosives dropped by various types of drones. On August 25, a drone hit a prosecutor's office vehicle on the M14 highway. A 58-year-old driver and a 38-year-old prosecutor were injured and hospitalized. Later, two more drone strikes occurred - no injuries were reported, but the cars were destroyed by fire. On August 26, several vehicles were damaged, a family, a 47-year-old healthcare manager and a 38-year-old doctor were injured, said Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, head of the press office of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration in an interview with this paper.
"Since attacks on the M14 have increased, the police will control traffic until we ensure traffic safety," said Tolokonnikov.
Drone strikes also ignite dry fields along the roadside, spreading flames through farmland and creating thick plumes of smoke, further disrupting transit in the area.
The drone siege of the Kherson road comes amid broader Russian efforts to escalate military attacks on the city of Kherson. A Ukrainian military source speaking to Byline Times on condition of anonymity reported that up to 30-80 drones are attacking the area daily. Drones are used to drop explosives and anti-personnel mines on city streets and infrastructure. Fires have been reported across Kherson's suburbs, and critical facili...
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