On February 17, three workers from the Sloviansk Thermal Power Station in Donetsk Oblast were killed when their civilian car was struck by a Russian first-person-view (FPV) drone in the town of Mykolaivka. This incident, as reported by the Energy Ministry, highlights the ongoing dangers faced by civilians and workers in Ukraine's frontline regions, particularly near critical infrastructure. The attack, which occurred close to the city of Sloviansk and just about 10 kilometers from the front line, underscores the lethal effects of modern warfare on non-combatants.

The attack coincides with a broader pattern of Russian drone warfare that has increasingly targeted civilian areas, particularly energy infrastructure, as evident from recent escalated assaults that included nearly 400 drones. This escalation not only poses immediate threats to lives but also jeopardizes the operational capabilities of energy sectors crucial for sustaining Ukrainian society amidst the war. The harm inflicted on these energy workers is indicative of a strategic approach by Russia to disrupt Ukraine's energy supply chains.

Furthermore, the use of advanced FPV drones, which are capable of significant precision strikes due to fiber optic cables, marks a concerning evolution in tactics that raises questions about the safety of civilians in contested areas. The shift in drone capabilities and their impact on civilian life points toward a worrying increase in warfare's brutality, emphasizing the urgent need for international scrutiny and accountability regarding war crimes in the ongoing conflict.