Russian Military in Ukraine

On February 24th 2022, Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, capturing large areas of territory while conducting airstrikes across the country. Following successful Ukrainian counteroffensives, the war mostly continues along the front lines, however civilians are harmed by sporadic Russian airstrikes across the country.

Airwars documented hundreds of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Ukraine during the 2022 Battle of Kharkiv, and has produced a number of research papers and investigations. Since 2023, Airwars’ focus on Ukraine is mainly on munitions identification and tracking.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

275 – 381

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Ukraine for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 200 separate alleged incidents.

30 – 33
children likely killed
51
women likely killed
471
likely injured
62
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Ukraine, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
323 – 432
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Ukraine.
200 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
275 – 381
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
138 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
41 – 42
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
60 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7 – 9
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
2 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — Russian Military in Ukraine

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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199 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

13 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK199

Location

Лозівська громада, Lozova Community, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On May 13rd 2022, a civilian described as a woman, was reportedly injured by a Russian rocket attack in Lozivska (Loziv) community, Kharkiv. Sources quoted Loziv City Mayor Serhii Zelenskyi who said that "a dozen private houses were damaged, windows in multi-storey buildings were broken. A cultural center and a critical infrastructure object were damaged."…

Summary

Published
13 May 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK200

Location

Леб’яже, Lebyazhe, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On 13 May 2022, 4 civilians were reportedly wounded, including which a 15 year-old boy, by Russian shelling in Lebyazhe village, Kharkiv. Sources, quoting the press service of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, reported that Russian forces shelled twice the area. The first attack was conducted in the morning at around 11 am, and "as…

Summary

Published
13 May 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK195

Location

Дергачі, Derhachi, Kharkiv, Ukraine
A report of alleged Russian shells struck the village of Derhachi on May 12th, killing two civilians and wounding two others. Hromadske and RBC News reported a shelling of Derhachi by Russian forces that left one civilian dead and three wounded. Writing for RBC News, author Maria Kucheryavets quoted Kharkiv Regional State Administrator Oleg Sinegubov…

Summary

Published
12 May 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK196

Location

Дергачі, Derhachi, Kharkiv, Ukraine
During the second reported Russian shelling of the village of Derhachi on May 12th, two medics were injured. Kharkiv Today reported that a total of two civilians were killed and four were wounded, including two medics. Two civilian deaths and two injuries were accounted for in RUK0230 as occurring during the first shelling of the…

Summary

Published
12 May 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Humanitarian
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK197

Location

Шебелинка, Shebelynka, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Three civilians were killed and five others were injured by alleged Russian shelling of Shebelynka on May 12, 2022. The head office of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv posted on Telegram that an enemy projectile hit a "hangar building" at 4:35pm causing a fire to break out on the roof of the…

Summary

Published
12 May 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK198

Location

Балаклія, Balakliya, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Two civilians were injured by alleged Russian shelling of Balakliia on May 12, 2022. The Head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleg Synegubov posted on Telegram that "2 people were also injured in Balaklia." This incident has reference to ACLED code UKR57686. No other information is available for this incident.

Summary

Published
12 May 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident