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

9 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK104

Location

Слатине, Slatyne, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Between two and three people were killed and up to two others were wounded by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Slatyne in Dergachi on April 9, 2022. Vyacheslav Zadorenko, head of the community, posted on Facebook that "during the day, enemy artillery periodically shelled the settlements of Dergachiv community. At least two people…

Summary

Published
9 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK102

Location

Дергачі, Derhachi, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Two engineering employees were injured by a mine explosion allegedly planted by Russian forces in Derhachi on April 8, 2022. According to the Kharkiv Human Rights Group, two employees of the Dergachivsky REM were injured when their service pick-up truck hit a mine on a dirt road. Both employees were taken to the hospital and…

Summary

Published
8 April 2022
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK101

Location

Салтовка, ХТЗ, Олексіївка, Saltivka, KhTZ, Oleksiivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine
One woman was killed and 14 civilians were injured by alleged Russian shelling of residential areas in Oleksiivka, Saltivka, KhTZ on April 7, 2022, according to Ukrainian official Oleg Synegubov. The head of the Kharkiv regional military-civilian administration Oleg Synegubov posted on Telegram that "the enemy" fired artillery at residential areas in Oleksiivka, Saltivka, KhTZ,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK100

Location

Балаклія, Balakliia, Kharkiv, Ukraine
A suspected Russian attack reportedly killed three civilians in Balakleya, Kharkiv the afternoon of April 6, 2022. The Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Group detailed how Russian troops shelled residential buildings, resulting in destroyed homes, and killing three civilians. NV News reported that a criminal case was opened for violation of laws and customs combined with…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK099

Location

Золочів, Zolochiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On April 6th, 2022, a 33-year-old civilian was reported killed and three civilians, a woman over 50-years-old and two 65-66-year-olds (a man and a woman), were reported injured after an alleged Russian shelling of Zolochiv, Kharkiv. Viktor Kovalenko, the head of the community, reported that the 33-year-old civilian was running “from his house to the…

Summary

Published
6 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2022

Incident Code

RUK094

Location

Чугуїв, Chuhuiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Sources reported two civilians killed, a 38 year old man and 63 year old woman  and five others injured according when Chuguiv was hit by alleged Russian shelling at night on April 4 2022. The attack resulted in the total destruction of one private house and damage to a multi-story residential building opposite. Later reporting…

Summary

Published
4 April 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident