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Escaping from the Aerial Vehicle Surveillance

Daily drone attacks strike the city of Kherson, located in southern Ukraine. Authorities release safety guidelines for the city's residents.

Fleeing from Airborne Surveillance Vehicle
Fleeing from Airborne Surveillance Vehicle

Escaping from the Aerial Vehicle Surveillance

In the southern Ukrainian city of Cherson, daily life has become a delicate dance between routine and survival. Once liberated from Russian occupation in November 2022, the city continues to face new threats, with drones and shelling from Russian-controlled areas looming large.

Artem Perfilov, a local freelance journalist and producer from Odessa, Ukraine, has been chronicling these challenges firsthand. Perfilov has accompanied foreign journalists to the front lines since the beginning of the Russian large-scale offensive in Ukraine.

One of the most pressing concerns in Cherson is the growing threat of drones. According to multiple reports, Russian forces have been attacking the outskirts of Kherson with these unmanned aerial vehicles, causing casualties. To stay safe, residents follow recommendations from the Civil Defense Department of the Cherson City Administration.

If a drone is spotted, it's advisable to seek shelter as quickly as possible. If no shelter is nearby, residents are advised to hide in a basement or on the ground floor of a building, following the "Two-Wall Rule" for protection. To make it harder for the hostile drone pilot to make a precise drop, it's recommended to change direction every 7-10 meters and run in a zigzag pattern.

Under no circumstances should fallen drones or parts thereof be touched. Inform the rescue services or local police about crash sites of drones instead. It's also advisable to run oneself as much as possible under leafy trees, as they may provide some protection for cars and pedestrians.

However, life in Cherson is far from normal. The city's streets and squares are empty during the most dangerous hours, between 5 PM and the following morning. All shops close, and artillery fire begins. The people of Kherson have nowhere else to go, forced to live with the constant fear of air raids and fighting.

Despite these challenges, life goes on. Residents in Cherson have adapted, following the recommendations from the Civil Defense Department to survive. Parking cars under the protection of leafy trees, running as much as possible under trees, and avoiding leaving homes during the most dangerous hours have become part of their daily routine.

Cherson, once a vibrant city, is now a testament to the resilience of its people. As the conflict continues, the hope is that peace will return, and Cherson can once again thrive.

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