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

23 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK140

Location

Cалтівка, Saltivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On the afternoon of April 23, there were reports of shelling by Russian forces in Kharkiv. This took place in Saltivka, an area within the city’s North Eastern Kyivskiy district, and reportedly resulted in four civilian injuries, including an elderly woman and those trying to rescue her, classifying this incident as a double tap strike.…

Summary

Published
23 April 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

22 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK137

Location

Барвінкове, Barvinkove, Kharkiv, Ukraine
An elderly woman was killed by confirmed Russian airstrikes on the town of Barvinkove in Izium district around 1:15am on April 22, 2022. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office posted on Telegram that at around 1:15am, Russian forces fired aviation weapon launchers at the town of Barvinkove in Izium district, destroying more than 10 residential buildings.…

Summary

Published
22 April 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK138

Location

Коротич, Korotych, Kharkiv, Ukraine
A man was killed and between five and six other civilians were injured by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Korotych the morning of April 22, 2022. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office reported on Telegram that a pre-trial investigation had been initiated into an incident where Russian forces shelling the village of Korotych, resulting…

Summary

Published
22 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK136

Location

проспекті Гагаріна, Gagarin Avenue, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On April 21st 2022, Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported that a 79 year old man was killed by Russian artillery fire on Gagarin Avenue, with a link to a post on Telegram by @hueviykharkov. However, the Telegram post is no longer available. No other sources reported on this incident.

Summary

Published
21 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK135

Location

Київський район, Kyyivsʹkyy district, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On the afternoon of April 21st 2022, at approximately 6pm, a car with two civilians traveling north east on Akademika Proskury St in close proximity to the Manizh Naku “Khai” Sport complex was allegedly struck by Russian shelling. The projectile was reported to have struck the engine bay of the vehicle, identified by multiple sources…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK134

Location

Чугуївський район, Chuhuiv district, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Two civilians were injured in alleged Russian shellings of Chuhuiv district on April 20, 2022. Oleg Sinegubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, posted on Telegram that a total of five civilians were injured throughout the day of April 20th - three were injured in the city of Kharkiv and two were injured in…

Summary

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