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

19–20 March, 2022

Incident Code

RUK073

Location

Індустріальний район, Industrial District, Kharkiv, Ukraine
At least five civilians, including a boy, an elderly woman, and a man, were reported killed in the Industrial District after alleged Russian night shelling of Kharkiv from March 19th to March 20th, 2022. The five civilians, identified as residents of the Industrial District by Kharkiv Today, were reported “killed by shelling” according to Vyacheslav…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK071

Location

ХТЗ, KhTZ, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On the evening of Saturday March 19th 2022, shelling by alleged Russian forces hit the Industrial District of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, killing two civilians including a 9-year-old child. Almost every source accounts for two civilians being killed, except for H_saltovka Telegram channel reporting five. However, every other source reported the victims as a 9-year-child…

Summary

Published
19 March 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

19 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK072

Location

Ізюм, Izium, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 19th, 2022 during a clash between Ukrainian and Russian forces, Russian shelling allegedly resulted in the death of five civilians, including a woman, in Izium. According to several news outlets, five local residents were killed in Izium. 2day.kh.ua detailed the killing of five civilians, according to Oleg Synegubov, head of the Kharkov Military-Civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK067

Location

Пісочин, Pisochyn, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 18 2022, one person was injured when 10 residential buildings in Pisochyn, Kharkiv were hit by suspected Russian shelling which also burnt a car and damaged several others, according to local sources. Oleg Chornobai, the Head of the Pisochyn community announced the incident via Facebook, also stating that one person was injured in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK068

Location

Заводи, Zavody, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 18th 2022, alleged Russian bombardment struck the village of Zavody, Kharkiv, killing four civilians, including two women and a child, and wounding one, a woman. The initial reports described a Russian shell striking a residential building. A collection of sources noted that a family was killed in a suspected Russian airstrike.  A man,…

Summary

Published
18 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK069

Location

північна Салтівка, Saltivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 18th 2022, alleged Russian bombardment struck the Saltivka area within Kharkiv. The initial reports described a Russian shell striking a residential building, killing one resident. A wide array of news organizations and social media users reported that Russian shells struck a residential building, killing an elderly man in his apartment. Lb.ua offered the…

Summary

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