Kherson, Ukraine

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Kherson

People in this frontline city face relentless attacks by Russian forces. Kherson holds partly because people still live here. For them to stay, the city has to keep functioning.

What we are trying to solve, and why it matters

How and why

  1. Secure energy independence for hospitals
  2. Keep hospitals from becoming unable to operate
  3. Keep healthcare workers and their families in the city
  4. Help their children keep learning during power cuts
  5. And so help preserve the city’s basic functioning
Read the full explanation
Read the full story

Sourced reporting · official requests from Kherson

Photo: Operace Kyseláč / Znesnáze21

Kherson residents face relentless attacks.

Russia is trying to destroy everything that makes ordinary life possible in Kherson: it attacks residents, homes, public transport, ambulances, humanitarian vehicles and energy infrastructure. It uses small FPV drones, artillery and KAB guided aerial bombs. From the beginning of July to 27 August 2026, the regional administration recorded at least 170 attacks with these bombs.

Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty6 Aug 2026 ↗Source: Херсонська ОВА27 Aug 2026 ↗
We go to the shop under fire. I don’t know what will happen next.Klavdia, Kherson resident, RFE/RL · 6 August 2026

Each figure states its period and whether it covers Kherson city or the whole Kherson region.

Civilian casualties since the full-scale invasion

Kherson region1,502

civilians killed by Russian fire, including 40 children

24 Feb 2022 – 15 Sep 2026 · Local authority data, published by ABC News

Source: ABC News 15 Sep 2026 ↗

Kherson region9,625

civilians injured

24 Feb 2022 – 15 Sep 2026 · Local authority data, published by ABC News

Source: ABC News 15 Sep 2026 ↗

Civilian casualties in recent months

Occupied part of the region29

civilians killed and at least 54 injured in Oleshky and Hola Prystan on the occupied left bank

1 Jan – 25 Jun 2026 · Verified cases only

Source: UN HRMMU 25 Jun 2026 ↗

Attacks

Kherson region6,500

small FPV-drone attacks in a single week

week to 27 Aug 2026

Source: Херсонська ОВА 27 Aug 2026 ↗ · AP 28 Aug 2026 ↗

Kherson city83

videos of drone attacks on civilians analysed by Human Rights Watch

June–December 2024

Source: Human Rights Watch 3 Jun 2025 ↗

Photo: National Police of Ukraine · CC BY 4.0

If Kherson fell

The Dnipro: the south’s natural defensive line

The Dnipro is one of the main natural defensive lines of southern Ukraine. And Kherson sits directly on it.

  • Kherson lies directly on the Dnipro. Here, the current front line is largely defined by the river.
  • A river this wide is extremely difficult for large ground forces to cross. A forced river crossing under fire is one of the most difficult military operations: people, vehicles and supplies must cross open water where they are exposed to fire for a long time.
  • West of Kherson stretches mostly open southern Ukrainian steppe – without another natural barrier comparable in scale to the Dnipro.
“In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces have relied on the Dnipro River to serve as their first line of defense.”
CSIS · 16 June 2023

CSIS analysts also noted that the river’s width exposes crossing forces to enemy fire for longer periods. The same logic works in both directions: the river protects the right bank, too.

Source: CSIS16 Jun 2023 ↗
01

Loss of the Dnipro line

The right bank keeps Russian forces beyond the river. Without it, they would no longer face a wide water barrier, but stand at the edge of open steppe.

02

Pressure on Mykolaiv and Odesa

Mykolaiv is about 60 km from Kherson in a straight line; Odesa about 145 km. Both cities are vital to southern transport and Black Sea ports.

03

Kryvyi Rih and the interior

About 155 km to the north lies Kryvyi Rih, one of Ukraine’s largest industrial cities. The land in between is mostly open, too.

04

More displacement

Worsening security and access to essential services could force more residents from their homes.

≠

This is neither a prediction nor an “open road” inland. The Kyiv Independent’s analysis of 5 August 2025 says a large Russian crossing of the Dnipro is unrealistic – precisely because the river is such a strong barrier. That makes holding the city that stands on this line all the more important.

Source: The Kyiv Independent5 Aug 2025 ↗
Photo: Kherson Regional State Administration · CC BY 4.0

What Kherson needs to survive the winter

For people to remain in Kherson, the city’s basic infrastructure must keep functioning. Hospitals are one of the most important parts of that infrastructure.

Energy under attack

Russian aerial bombs struck Kherson’s combined heat and power plant again overnight on 27 August 2026. The regional administration reported extremely serious damage and warned that outages may last much longer than hours or days. Families with children and older people were urged to consider moving to safer areas.

The Kherson regional administration issued its evacuation appeal on 27 August 2026.

Source: Херсонська ОВА27 Aug 2026 ↗Source: Associated Press28 Aug 2026 ↗

A

Energy independence for hospitals

Hospitals must keep working through long power cuts. Among other things, they need electricity for:

  • medical and diagnostic equipment
  • computers
  • network infrastructure
  • communications
  • lighting
  • other systems needed for continuous medical care

According to the official letter from the Health Department of the Kherson City Council, 1 September 2026.

Why hospitals hold the city together

  1. Backup energy

    Power stations, batteries and solar panels for long outages.

  2. Hospitals can continue operating

    Equipment, communications and lights keep running when the grid fails.

  3. Healthcare workers can keep working in Kherson

    Care for residents does not stop.

  4. Their families need conditions that allow them to stay

    Healthcare workers do not live alone – they have partners and children.

  5. Children need access to education during blackouts

    Much of their schooling happens online.

  6. The city retains essential services and residents

    Where healthcare works, people have a reason to stay.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine · CC BY 4.0

What the hospitals need

This is not our own wishlist. We received this request directly from the Health Department of the Kherson City Council. It summarises the needs of three multidisciplinary city hospitals and the city dental polyclinic.

What the hospitals need, according to the request (UAH)
EquipmentQuantityApprox. price / unitApprox. total
Baseus power bank, 30,000 mAh / 22.5 W741,800 UAH133,200 UAH
USB step-up adapter, 5 V → 12 V DC, for routers60350 UAH21,000 UAH
EcoFlow DELTA 3 power station (EU version)1742,000 UAH714,000 UAH
EcoFlow 110 W solar panel1711,000 UAH187,000 UAH
EcoFlow River 2 300 W power station4019,500 UAH780,000 UAH
LiFePO4 battery, 12 V, 100–150 Ah7from 19,500 UAHfrom 136,500 UAH
Sako SUNON IV 6.2 kW / 48 V backup power kit with a Lithium Valley W15-5A 51.2 V / 280 Ah battery27118,050 UAH3,187,350 UAH
Total estimated needapprox. 5,159,050 UAH

All prices are approximate and come from the letter dated 1 September 2026. The Health Department based them on one facility’s submission. Current prices may differ.

Not “all or nothing”

The letter explicitly states that even partial fulfilment of these needs will improve the energy autonomy of Kherson’s hospitals, create backup capacity for emergency and prolonged outages, and help keep medical care continuous. The hospitals will be grateful for individual items and for any quantity of equipment.

Photo: Kherson Regional State Administration · CC BY 4.0

For healthcare workers to stay, their children must be able to learn

Kherson needs its healthcare workers to stay. But they do not live in isolation – they have families and children.

Much of their schooling is remote. During long or emergency power cuts, home Wi-Fi routers and ONT/ONU optical terminals stop working. Even when the provider’s network is still up, the child cannot join the online class.

Internal feedback from healthcare workers indicated that their children’s education is one of the important factors influencing whether families are able to remain in Kherson long-term.

In its letter, the Health Department writes that supporting healthcare workers’ children in accessing education also supports the professionals who stay at their workplaces every day and provide life-saving care to residents.

The solution: small Mini DC UPS units

During an outage they switch to battery power automatically and keep the router and optical terminal running for several hours.

218

small backup power units are needed to keep healthcare workers’ children connected to online education.

Officially identified need by institution
InstitutionUnits needed
Kherson City Clinical Hospital named after A. and O. TropinOriginal name: КНП «Херсонська міська клінічна лікарня ім. А. і О. Тропіних» ХМР55
Kherson City Dental PolyclinicOriginal name: КНП «Херсонська міська стоматологічна поліклініка» ХМР16
Kherson City Clinical Hospital named after O. S. LuchanskyiOriginal name: КНП «Херсонська міська клінічна лікарня імені О.С. Лучанського» ХМР87
Kherson City Clinical Hospital named after Ye. Ye. KarabeleshOriginal name: КНП «Херсонська міська клінічна лікарня ім. Є.Є. Карабелеша» ХМР57
Health Department of the Kherson City CouncilOriginal name: Управління охорони здоров’я Херсонської міської ради3
Total218
Technical parameters and estimated prices

Recommended technical parameters, according to the letter

  • battery capacity preferably at least 10,000 mAh
  • outputs of 5 V / 9 V / 12 V
  • automatic, uninterrupted switchover to battery power
  • total output of preferably 24–36 W, especially to power an ONT/ONU terminal and a Wi-Fi router at the same time
  • PoE is useful but not mandatory
  • suitable cables and adapters are preferred
  • no specific brand is required – technically compatible alternatives are acceptable

The letter identifies 10,400 mAh / 36 W devices as a particularly practical category in terms of features and price.

Preliminary comparison of models from the letter’s appendix (UAH)
ModelCapacityPowerKey featuresApprox. price / unitApprox. for 218Assessment
WGP Mini DC POE UPS10,400 mAh36 W5V/9V/12V; PoE; for router + ONU/ONT≈ 1,099≈ 239,582I · Best balance of features and price
VIA Energy Mini UPS 2.010,400 mAh36 W5V/9V/12V; passive PoE 15/24V; high compatibility≈ 1,425–1,895≈ 310,650–413,110I · Fully featured alternative
WGP UPS103A10,400 mAh24–25 W5V/9V/12V; USB + DC; instant switchover≈ 1,071–1,250≈ 233,478–272,500II · Economical and practical option
DC1018P10,400 mAh18 W5V/9V/12V; USB; separate versions with PoE≈ 1,190–1,366≈ 259,420–297,788II · Acceptable basic option
MARSRIVA KP1 Plus16,000 mAh18 W5V/9V/12V; USB; 0 ms switchover; larger capacity≈ 2,387–2,500≈ 520,366–545,000II · For longer autonomy, if the budget allows

According to the preliminary analysis, meeting the full need for 218 devices would cost roughly UAH 233,000–545,000 depending on the model and accessories; for the priority 10,400 mAh / 36 W class, about UAH 240,000–413,000. Wholesale orders may cost less.

All prices are approximate market prices based on monitoring of the Ukrainian market on 2 September 2026 (ROZETKA listings, WGP/Richroc and MARSRIVA technical materials). They are not a tender or a commercial offer. Current prices may differ.

The letter stresses that every device that helps a child stay connected to school matters. Partial support is welcome too.

Photo: National Police of Ukraine · CC BY 4.0

Drone attacks on civilians are documented.

Residents use the term “human safari” for attacks in which drone operators track and strike individual people in the streets.

Human Rights Watch analysed 83 videos and interviewed dozens of victims and witnesses. Its investigation, published on 3 June 2025, found that Russian forces had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity through drone attacks against civilians, civilian property and infrastructure since June 2024.

This is not only the shelling of a frontline city. HRW documented drones targeting healthcare facilities, ambulances and their personnel – including rescue workers responding to drone attacks on civilians. Ambulance crews said they could no longer respond to calls in some areas for fear of drones.

Source: Human Rights Watch3 Jun 2025 ↗Source: Human Rights Watch3 Jun 2025 ↗

Each point marks a documented casualty. Colours distinguish wounded people, people killed and targeted first responders; locations are approximate according to the map authors.

Source: Tochnyi Mapsinteractive archive ↗
Photo: National Police of Ukraine · CC BY 4.0

06 / Testimony

Videos and testimony from Kherson.

Warning: graphic footage and violence

Our footage · Operace Kyseláč

The strike that hit two of our colleagues in Kherson

This video was filmed by the Operace Kyseláč team. It shows the moment of the attack that hit two of our colleagues in Kherson.

National Police of Ukraine · original footage · CC BY 4.0

A drone hunts a civilian at a market

Original police footage from 4 August 2026 shows an FPV drone circling a vehicle, pursuing a 52-year-old vendor and then exploding. The man survived with injuries and concussion.

CBC News · YouTube

Kherson residents are hunted by drones

A report with authentic attack footage and testimony from residents. It may show the moment of an attack and its aftermath.

The Kyiv Independent · YouTube

Four days in a city where drones hunt civilians

Reporting from Kherson combines verified attack footage with testimony from people living under the drones every day.

Suspilne Kherson · YouTube

Evacuating families from the red zone

A report from an evacuation mission in August 2026.

Our initiative · Operace Kyseláč · YouTube

Why aid goes directly to Kherson

A video from our initiative, Operace Kyseláč. We explain why we help in Kherson and support both civilians and the city’s defenders.

Photo: National Police of Ukraine · CC BY 4.0

Kherson is not just a city. It is a whole region on both banks of the Dnipro.

We help in Kherson and across the wider Kherson region. Ukraine controls the right bank with the regional capital; Russia occupies much of the left bank. Attacks hit the city and the villages along the river.

Current excerptThe live interactive map loads directly from DeepStateMap.live. On every visit it therefore shows their currently published situation, not a stored screenshot.

Live map
Photo: 7777777kz · CC BY 3.0

Children wear body armour during evacuation.

Evacuation teams enter red zones in armoured vehicles. They monitor the route for drones while police, volunteers and mobile fire groups protect families. Missions may be delayed when attacks intensify.

Source: Суспільне ХерсонAug 2026 ↗
24 children

were among 150 people evacuated in the first two weeks of August 2026, according to police cited by Suspilne Kherson.

Photo: National Police of Ukraine · CC BY 4.0

Oleshky: the town across the Dnipro

Oleshky lies on the Russian-occupied left bank of the Dnipro, directly opposite Kherson. The town is cut off: drones circle over its streets, there are mines on the roads in, and food and medicine barely get through.

Aid from the air

Since March 2026, Ukrainian units have been delivering food to Oleshky by drone; on 27 September they dropped four tonnes at 100 locations across the town. According to the Kherson regional administration, occupying forces try to shoot the drones down and detain residents who receive the parcels.

Source: The Kyiv Independent27 Sep 2026 ↗

Operace Kyseláč has been helping Oleshky for months

Our aid has been reaching Oleshky for several months now. We deliver it by drone across the Dnipro to the people who have stayed in the town. You can support it by donating to Operace Kyseláč.

For safety reasons we do not publish routes, timing or delivery details.

Support aid to Oleshky
Photo: 7777777kz · CC BY 3.0
Operace Kyseláč

We take aid where it is needed now.

The Czech volunteer initiative Operace Kyseláč supports Kherson, the wider Kherson region and other frontline areas. Purchases follow current needs and the safety of recipients.

We are staying.

We are among the last organisations still working in Kherson. Others have withdrawn because of the security situation. We are staying: we continue to support local hospitals, civilians and the city’s defenders. Your support helps us carry on.

Official requests, not our wishlist

The needs of hospitals and healthcare workers’ children listed on this site were sent to us directly by the Health Department of the Kherson City Council. You will find the original documents in sections 04 and 05.

What we do, specifically

01

Hospitals and maternity wards

Medical supplies, hygiene products and equipment, based on what healthcare workers on the ground actually need.

02

Backup energy for hospitals

Power stations, batteries, solar panels and backup systems, following the official request of 1 September 2026. The hospitals’ request

03

UPS units for healthcare workers’ children

218 small backup power units to keep healthcare workers’ children connected to online classes. Need by institution

05

Other civilian aid

Support for families, evacuees and communities in the most affected areas. Transport, repairs and logistics.

06

People and structures that keep the city going

We support those who keep the city running, including its defenders: power sources, batteries, drone detectors and early warning systems.

For safety reasons we do not publish future travel dates, exact routes, unit identities, licence plates or tactical details.

Source: United Nations in Ukraine14 Aug 2026 ↗
Photo: Lightdispellsdarkness · CC BY-SA 4.0

10 / How to help

How you can help

We do not have separate accounts for individual needs. Your gift supports Operace Kyseláč’s aid for Kherson – including the needs sent to us by Kherson’s hospitals.

Where the aid goes

Official request · 1 Sep 2026

Backup energy for hospitals

Power stations, batteries, solar panels and backup systems for three city hospitals and the dental polyclinic.

approx. UAH 5,159,050Details

Official letter · 2 Sep 2026

218 UPS units for healthcare workers’ children

Small backup power units so healthcare workers’ children can keep learning online during power cuts.

218 unitsDetails

Operace Kyseláč

General support

Civilian aid in Kherson and the region, Oleshky, logistics and other urgent needs.

What we do

Active public fundraiser

Public fundraiser · Znesnáze21

Direct aid for Ukraine’s frontline areas

For hospitals, maternity wards, families, medical supplies, hygiene, energy, vehicles and logistics.

Status checked on 30 September 2026. The current total and end date are shown on the fundraiser page.

Donate to the fundraiserOpens in a new window

This site does not copy changing totals or time remaining, so it cannot show outdated fundraising data.

Donate directly: bank transfer, PayPal, bitcoin and Darujme.cz

Help your way

For Kherson. Directly, too.

You can also help Kherson by donating directly to Operace Kyseláč. Choose the method that works for you.

Want your gift to support Kherson? Write “Cherson” in the recipient message for bank transfers and PayPal.

Transparent bank account

Donate from a Czech or international bank account. Transactions are publicly visible.

Czech account number2002142415/2010
IBAN for international transfersCZ51 2010 0000 0020 0214 2415
View account transactionsOpens in a new window

Bitcoin

Donate BTC directly over the Bitcoin network.

Bitcoin addressbc1qtt74yxrxj25er0gwgef7qseep6u6agy8yjpq6d
Open Bitcoin wallet
Operace Kyseláč payment details · opkyselac.cz Opens in a new window

11 / In the media

Interviews and reports

Denisa Boháčková of Operace Kyseláč lives and works in Kherson. She has spoken about her work on Czech Television and in reports by Reportérky filmed in Kherson.

Czech Television · Velký vlastenecký podcast

„Bomba vybuchla nedaleko nás, prozvraceli jsme celou noc.“

25 Feb 202639 minin Czech

“A bomb went off near us; we were sick all night.” Denisa Boháčková and former soldier Mac on life near the front line, why they help Ukraine and how the war has changed.

Watch interviewOpens in a new window

Reportérky · NA LINII with Lenka Klicperová

Denisa z Chersonu: Češka pomáhá v nejnebezpečnějším městě na světě

28 May 202661 minin Czech

“Denisa from Kherson: a Czech woman helping in the most dangerous city in the world.” An interview about life and aid in a frontline city terrorised daily by FPV drones – above all, support for Kherson’s hospitals.

Watch interviewOpens in a new window

Reportérky · Report from Kherson

„Rusko nemá dost a nikdy mít nebude,“ říká Denisa Boháčková, dobrovolnice v Chersonu.

7 Jul 202616 minin Czech

“Russia has not had enough and never will.” A report filmed in Kherson: with Denisa to healthcare facilities, a maternity ward and a dangerous zone near Russian positions. Filmed by Lenka Klicperová and Jana Andert.

Watch reportOpens in a new window

Links go to the original media outlets. The videos do not load on this site. All interviews are in Czech.

12 / Historical context

A city that refuses to disappear

03 / 2022

Occupation

Russian forces seized the only regional capital they captured in the opening weeks of the full-scale invasion.

The Kyiv Independent ↗
11 / 2022

Liberation

Ukrainian troops liberated Kherson. The front settled along the Dnipro.

Le Monde ↗
06 / 2023

Kakhovka dam destroyed

Catastrophic flooding hit the city and dozens of settlements along the river.

The Kyiv Independent ↗
06 / 2024

Targeted drone attacks

HRW documents systematic attacks against civilians and civilian objects from this period.

Human Rights Watch ↗
06 / 2025

Investigation published

HRW publishes its extensive analysis of 83 videos and victim testimony.

Human Rights Watch ↗
08 / 2026

Plant hit, residents urged to leave

After serious damage to the power plant, officials warn of prolonged outages and offer evacuation support.

Херсонська ОВА ↗
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine · CC0

13 / Sources

Every claim has a traceable source.

Time-sensitive figures carry a date. Links lead to the original publication; reporting and maps may continue to change. We distinguish publicly verifiable sources, official documents and our own information.

Official documents from Kherson

Publicly verifiable sources

03

UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in UkrainePrimary source · UN · 16 Sep 2026

Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — August 2026

Opens in a new window
04

UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in UkrainePrimary source · UN · 12 Aug 2026

Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — July 2026

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05

UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in UkrainePrimary source · UN · 25 Jun 2026

Desperate situation for civilians trapped in frontline areas, says UN Human Rights Ukraine

Opens in a new window
06

ABC NewsField report · 15 Sep 2026

“The basement saved me”: Frontline Ukrainian city under fire amid US peace push

Opens in a new window
07

Херсонська ОВАPrimary source · 27 Aug 2026

Evacuation appeal after serious damage to Kherson’s power plant

Opens in a new window
08

Associated PressNews report · 28 Aug 2026

Consequences of the power-plant attack and the risk of prolonged outages

Opens in a new window
09

Human Rights WatchInvestigation · 3 Jun 2025

Listen, Run, Hide: investigation into drone attacks on civilians

Opens in a new window
10

Human Rights WatchReport · 3 Jun 2025

Ukraine: Russia Using Drones to Attack Civilians (report “Hunted From Above”)

Opens in a new window
11

Human Rights WatchReport · 9 Jul 2026

Ukraine: Civilians Trapped in Occupied Khersonska Region

Opens in a new window
12

CSISAnalysis · 16 Jun 2023

The Impact of the Kakhovka Dam Breach on the New Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Opens in a new window
13

The Kyiv IndependentAnalysis · 5 Aug 2025

Humanitarian crisis and why a large Dnipro crossing remains unrealistic

Opens in a new window
14

The Kyiv IndependentNews report · 27 Sep 2026

Ukrainian military delivers 4 tons of food to occupied Oleshky by drones, regional authorities say

Opens in a new window
15

Суспільне ХерсонField report · Aug 2026

Children evacuated from red zones in armoured vehicles

Opens in a new window
16

Le MondeField report · 24 Jun 2026

Kherson residents living under the constant threat of Russian drones

Opens in a new window
17

Radio Free Europe / Radio LibertyField report · 6 Aug 2026

Kherson residents live under daily drone attacks

Opens in a new window
18

United Nations in UkrainePrimary source · 14 Aug 2026

Statement following attacks on humanitarian workers in Kherson

Opens in a new window
19

Tochnyi MapsInteractive map · interactive archive

The Human Safari: interactive map of attacks on civilians in Kherson

Opens in a new window
20

DeepStateMap.liveMap · live map

Current interactive situation map of southern Ukraine

Opens in a new window

From our own work

This information comes from our own work. We do not back it with external articles or present it as independently verified.

  • our aid deliveries to Kherson and the region
  • the video of the strike that hit two of our colleagues in Kherson (our own footage)
  • internal feedback from healthcare workers on what affects whether their families stay
  • our aid to Oleshky, delivered by drone
Photo: National Police of Ukraine · CC BY 4.0