In the battered eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, the sound of drones has become a daily terror. On December 25, 2025, this fear turned deadly once again as Russian forces intensified their campaign of targeted drone strikes, killing one volunteer and injuring two others in the midst of a desperate evacuation mission. The attack, described by local officials as deliberate and systematic, underscores the growing peril faced by both residents and the volunteers risking their lives to save them.
According to Serhii Horbunov, head of the Kostiantynivka City Military Administration, Russian troops have adopted a chilling tactic: using FPV (first-person view) strike drones to hunt civilians, not just in combat zones but directly within residential neighborhoods. As reported by The Caspian Post and corroborated by Ukrainian media, the latest strike was no accident. "One civilian died when an enemy fiber drone hit. The aggressor aimed the strike, cutting his life short instantly. Two more people were injured, some more severely than others. They were promptly taken to Druzhkivka City Hospital, where they are currently receiving all necessary medical care. At the time of the attack, they were engaged in the most important task: evacuating people from dangerous zones," Horbunov wrote in a Facebook post cited by RBC Ukraine.
The victim was identified as Viacheslav Ilchenko, a Kharkiv volunteer and founder of the "Nezlamna" ("Unbreakable") charity, according to Gwara Media. Ilchenko had been actively involved in evacuating civilians from both the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions since 2022, often venturing into the most dangerous areas to help those unable or unwilling to leave. The December 25 attack also injured two members of his team. Yevhen Koliada, head of the Relief Coordinating Centre, confirmed to Suspilne Ukraine that Ilchenko’s body was recovered and that his organization had already begun the process of supporting his family, including insurance payouts and fundraising efforts. Daryna Marynenko, founder of the volunteer group “Plus Plus,” noted that Ilchenko is survived by his wife and two daughters, and volunteers have rallied to support them in their time of loss.
The brutality of the strike was compounded by the fact that the victims were actively engaged in evacuating residents from zones under intense shelling. As Horbunov emphasized, "It was another evacuation mission designed to save the lives of our community’s residents." The two injured volunteers were swiftly transported to Druzhkivka City Hospital, where they remain under medical care.
The attack did not stop with human casualties. A passenger car belonging to the Kramatorsk Volunteers Association, a group dedicated to daily evacuation efforts, was also hit by enemy fire. Miraculously, no residential buildings were damaged in this particular incident, but the symbolism was clear: even the vehicles used to save lives are now targets. As reported by Liga.net, the head of the city military administration warned that "there are no safe places left in the community. The enemy is hunting civilian vehicles and ordinary passers-by." Authorities have been urging all residents to evacuate while escape routes remain accessible, but as of mid-November, around 4,800 civilians still remained in Kostiantynivka, many too frail, stubborn, or fearful to leave.
The deliberate targeting of civilians and humanitarian workers has been labeled a war crime by Ukrainian officials, who continue to meticulously document each attack. The Kostiantynivka City Military Administration has stressed that law enforcement agencies are collecting evidence, hoping that one day justice will be served.
These attacks are not isolated. Kostiantynivka has endured a relentless barrage of drone, artillery, and missile strikes, with Russian forces reportedly using FPV drones to specifically "hunt" volunteers and passersby in residential districts. On December 8, for instance, a family riding bicycles to fetch water was attacked by a drone, a stark illustration of the everyday dangers facing civilians. According to The Kyiv Independent, Russian forces have even resorted to unconventional tactics amid heavy equipment losses, including the use of horses for assaults—efforts that Ukrainian troops say are quickly countered by their own drone operations.
The situation in Kostiantynivka is emblematic of a broader, grim trend in the Donetsk region. As reported by RBC Ukraine, deliberate attacks on evacuation missions have become more frequent, with Russian forces seemingly intent on sowing fear and chaos by targeting those trying to flee. The message from local authorities is unambiguous: "The best way to protect yourself and your family is to evacuate to safer regions." Yet for many, the decision to leave is fraught with uncertainty and heartbreak, as they weigh the risks of the journey against the agony of abandoning their homes.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, the pattern of violence continues. Around 50 civilians were forcibly removed from the village of Hrabivske in the Sumy region and deported to Russia, a move Ukrainian authorities have denounced as a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Reports indicate these individuals were detained without communication or adequate conditions before being sent across the border, an act that has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations and international observers.
In the midst of these horrors, the resilience of Ukraine’s volunteer community stands out. Despite the constant threat, volunteers like Ilchenko and his colleagues persist in their missions, often at great personal risk. Their work has become ever more vital as Russian forces escalate their attacks on both military and civilian targets. The cost, however, is steep, and the toll on families and communities is profound.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for international support and recognition of the sacrifices made by volunteers and ordinary citizens. In recent weeks, he has presented merit badges to dozens of volunteers and coordinated efforts to modernize Ukraine’s air defense and drone distribution systems, according to official statements. The government’s message is clear: the fight for survival continues not just on the front lines, but in every besieged city and village where civilians cling to hope.
For Kostiantynivka, the future remains uncertain. With no safe havens left and evacuation routes growing more perilous by the day, the community faces a stark choice: flee while they still can, or risk becoming the next victims of a war that shows no sign of abating. The loss of Viacheslav Ilchenko and the injuries to his fellow volunteers are a somber reminder of the price paid by those who choose to stand with their neighbors, even as the world watches from afar.
As the year draws to a close, the people of Kostiantynivka—and all of Ukraine—continue to endure, hoping that their story will not be forgotten and that justice will one day prevail.
