Russians attacked a child with a drone in Kherson

Russian military injured a 13-year-old boy by dropping explosives on him in Kherson on August 8, 2025, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration. 

“The enemy dropped explosives on a 13-year-old boy who was walking down the street. He sustained blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to his leg and arm,” Prokudin said. 

Doctors treated the boy at a hospital and provided all necessary assistance.

Prokudin reported that a Russian attack on downtown Kherson also killed a 78-year-old woman who suffered severe injuries.

He offered condolences to the woman’s family and loved ones.

Local authorities evacuated 1,411 people, including 56 children and 141 individuals with reduced mobility, from Kherson’s Korabel microdistrict by August 8.

Yaroslav Shanko, head of the Kherson City Military Administration, reported that evacuation teams removed 185 people from the Korabel District on Friday alone, including 12 people with limited mobility. Shanko also said an evacuation team retrieved the body of a 63-year-old woman, whose death appeared to result from natural causes.

“I once again urge the residents of the Korabel microdistrict to ensure their safety and leave temporarily,” Shanko said. “All evacuees receive assistance with comfortable accommodation, registration for IDP status and other payments, or free transportation to other regions of Ukraine.”

“I also stress that people cannot return to the Island. I urge you to be sensible and adhere to safety measures. Evacuation is a temporary step necessary for your safety,” he added.

Authorities began the evacuation after Russian forces conducted an airstrike on Kherson on August 2. Two guided aerial bombs damaged the automobile bridge leading to the Korabel microdistrict.

The Southern Defense Forces said the bridge played little role in the defense system. However, its damage effectively “cut off” civilians living in the Korabel District, also known as “the Island.” About 1,800 residents remained in the area when Russian forces struck, prompting local authorities to begin the evacuation.

Moreover, the local authorities reported that over the past 24 hours, Russian forces targeted Antonivka, Komyshany, Sadove, Kizomys, Sofiivka, Bilozerka, Stanislav, Shyroka Balka, Berehove, Dniprovske, Prydniprovske, Yantarne, Mykilske, Romashkove, Novotiahynka, Beryslav, Novoberyslav, Monastyrske, Novovorontsovka, Novokairy, Shliakhove, Ukrainka, Kachkarivka, Virivka, Havrylivka, Krupitsia, Lvove, Mykolaivka, Mylove, Odradokamianka, Respublikanets, Tokarivka, Tiahynka, Urozhaine, Chervonyi Maiak, Kozatske, and the city of Kherson.

The attacks, conducted with drones and artillery, struck social infrastructure and residential areas.

The shelling damaged three multi-story apartment buildings, 15 private houses, a gas pipeline, various farm structures, and automobiles.

As is known, including  China, North Korea, India, and Brazil, assist Moscow in killing citizens of Ukraine in Russia’s war, including funding the Russian budget through trade. 

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described Bloomberg News trade in Russian oil as “legitimate” and has pledged to continue its cooperation with Moscow, directly defying recent threats from the United States to impose new tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy. 

Donald Trump said earlier this week he could punish China with additional tariffs over its purchases of Russian oil, saying “that may happen.” The US president has also signaled his interest in brokering a peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and views pressure on big Russian trade partners to be part of that effort.

Earlier, ZMINA reported that, according to three European security officials and documents reviewed by Reuters, Chinese-made engines are being covertly shipped via front companies to a state-owned drone manufacturer in Russia, labelled as “industrial refrigeration units,” to avoid detection in the wake of Western sanctions.