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

11 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK194

Location

Новий Мерчик, Noviy Merchyk, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On the morning of 11th May 2022 at 10:45 am, a 26yr old civilian tractor driver from Gadyach was allegedly struck with a guided missile launched from a low-flying Russian aircraft whilst working in a field in the village of Novy Merchik. The attack caused multiple burns and leg injuries to the tractor driver and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK188

Location

Лозівський район, Lozivskyi District, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On May 10th 2022, the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group quoted Oleh Syniehubov's Telegram report on alleged Russian shelling in the Lozova district. The shelling left two people wounded. No other details are available at this time. This incident has reference to ACLED code UKR57560.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK191

Location

Ізюмський район, Izium District, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On May 10th 2022 two civilians were reportedly injured as a result of Russian shelling on the Izium district of Kharkiv. There is no further information at this time. This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR57558.

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK189

Location

Циркуни, Tsyrkuny, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On May 10th 2022 two civilians, both women, were killed when a reported Russian mine exploded in Tsykunny in Kharkiv. Sergey Bolvinov reported on Facebook that "investigators and forensic experts of the Investigative Department, investigators of the Lipetsk Police Department, together with explosive experts, conducted an inspection under the bridge near the village of Tsykuny,…

Summary

Published
10 May 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK192

Location

Циркуни, Tsyrkuny, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Three civilians were allegedly shot by Russian forces and their bodies were discovered on May 10, 2022 in the village of Tsyrkuny. According to Suspilne News, Serhii Bolvinov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Police Investigative Department reported that after the liberation of the village of Tsyrkuny, the bodies of three civilians were found on the…

Summary

Published
10 May 2022
Strike Type
Artillery, Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2022

Incident Code

RUK193

Location

П’ятихатки, P’yatykhatky, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Two civilians were injured by alleged Russian shelling of P’yatykhatky in Kharkiv city on May 10, 2022. Oleg Sinegubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration reported on Telegram that in Kharkiv, two people were hospitalized with injuries as a result of shelling by the occupiers (Russian forces). Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group added that…

Summary

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