Today, unmanned systems (UAVs) have become the dominant source of lethal danger in frontline and near-frontline settlements. Russian drone operators in real time, almost around the clock, attack not only the military, but also civilians, their homes and cars, as well as journalists and other media professionals whose work requires their presence in frontline areas of Ukraine.
The territory, conventionally called the "kill zone" - a strip 10-20 kilometers from the front line - has turned into an area of total aerial control, where any moving object may be instantly identified and attacked by UAVs.
According to the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), out of 70 Ukrainian and international journalists surveyed in the fall of 2025, a third were attacked or harassed by drones while reporting. Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy became the most dangerous regions of Ukraine.
Therefore, the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation "Union", in collaboration with the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has developed a practical safety guide for journalists in frontline areas, including recommendations for protecting against drones.
Available in English and Ukrainian, the guide is designed as a practical tool to help you quickly assess the threats posed by small, pilot-operated UAVs in real time, understand the logic of targeting, and make decisions that can save lives.
It is important to remember that these recommendations cannot guarantee 100% safety. They are designed to minimise risks; however, working in frontline areas is always extremely dangerous. No instruction, body armour, or electronic device can provide absolute protection.
You can download the guide here: in Ukrainian and in English.
We have also developed videos in Ukrainian and English that serve as short visualizations of the manual, helping you familiarize yourself with the main principles and approaches to countering drones.
This document has been prepared by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation "Union", with technical support from the Institute of Mass Information (IMI) and financial support from the European Union. All images in this report are guaranteed to be free of copyright.
The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of RSF and the Foundation "Union" and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
