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

Search

199 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

15 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK121

Location

Саржин Яр, Sarhyn Yar, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On April 15th, 2022, one civilian, a man, was reported injured after an alleged Russian shelling of Sarzhyn Yar in Kharkiv. As a result of the shelling, three private houses reportedly caught on fire. The press service of the regional State Emergency Service told Suspline that one man was reportedly injured but “refused hospitalization.” Kharkiv…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK122

Location

ХТЗ, KhTZ, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On Friday April 15th 2022, an alleged Russian missile strike hit the Sarhyn Yar neighborhood and the Shevchenkivskyi district in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, killing between 7 and 10 civilians, including a seven month old, and injuring between 34 and 50 civilians, including up to nine children. Sources are not consistent regarding the number of…

Summary

Published
15 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
34–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK117

Location

Олександрівка, Oleksandrivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Three civilians were reportedly injured on April 14th 2022 when alleged Russian shelling hit Oleksandrivka village, in Kharkiv. According to local sources, a woman and two children aged nine and 11 were injured. Helsinki reported that the Russian military shelled the village for "about 12 hours."  Victor Kovalenko, head of the Zolochiv community said that…

Summary

Published
14 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK118

Location

Слобідський район, Slobidskyi district, Kharkiv, Ukraine
One civilian was killed and eight other civilians were reportedly injured when a Russian shell hit a garage cooperative on April 14th 2022 in the Slobid district of Kharkiv, as reported in local sources including by an injured man to Suspilne Kharkiv on YouTube. Videos including on Telegram show images of destructed garages and cars…

Summary

Published
14 April 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK119

Location

Борова, Borova, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On April 14th 2022, at least seven and up to ten civilians were killed and between 13 to 30 were injured, including at least one child, when Russian forces shells and gunfire hit evacuation buses in the village of Borova, Izyum district of Kharkiv. Kharkiv Today reported that evacuation from the region began on April…

Summary

Published
14 April 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
13–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK116

Location

Немишлянський район, Nemyshlyanskyy District, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Local sources reported on a shelling of Kharkiv on April 13th, 2022 was allegedly conducted by Russian forces, resulting in three civilians killed, including a woman and two men, and four others wounded, including a child. According to the Helsinki.org.ua, the bombing began during the day when many people were out buying food or receiving…

Summary

Published
13 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident