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

18 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK070

Location

Харківський регіональний інститут державного управління, Kharkiv Regional Institute of Public Administration, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On the morning of Friday March 18th 2022, a missile strike by alleged Russian shelling hit an educational building and two neighboring residential buildings, killing one civilian and injuring at least 11, in the town of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. Sources unanimously account for one civilian being killed, with ACLED Dataset reporting that it was…

Summary

Published
18 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
11–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK066

Location

Рынок Барабашова, Barabashovo market complex, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 17 2022, shortly before 14:00, a missile allegedly fired by a Russia BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher system hit Barabashovo market on Akademika Pavlova Street in Kharkiv, killing one rescue worker and injuring another rescue worker and a woman. One Telegram channel with a clear pro-Russian stance source accused the Ukrainian military of intentionally…

Summary

Published
17 March 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK063

Location

Козача Лопань, Kozacha Lopan, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Between four and six civilians, including an elderly woman, were killed and at least two others, including a child, were wounded by alleged Russian or Ukrainian shelling of Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv on March 17, 2022. The head of the Dergachev community Vyacheslav Zadorenko announced on Facebook that Russian forces used cluster bombs and "as…

Summary

Published
17 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Ukrainian Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK064

Location

Золочів, Zolochiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Alleged Russian shelling attacks on the village of Zolochiv in Kharkiv killed a woman and wounded two others, including a child, on March 17, 2022. The village of Zolochiv endured heavy shelling, allegedly from Russian forces on March 17th. In the midst of the bombing, a 44 year old mother covered her four year daughter.…

Summary

Published
17 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK065

Location

Мерефа, Merefa, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 17th, alleged Russian bombardment struck the village of Merefa, wounding up to 26 people and killing up to 23 others. Sources were conflicted as to whether those killed were members of the Ukrainian military or civilians. Susplilne Media described a Russian “artillery” attack upon Merefa. Twitter user @tincazzi posted pictures of the remains…

Summary

Published
17 March 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
0–26
Civilians reported injured
0–23
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK060

Location

школа №35, School №35, Kharkiv, Ukraine
One civilian was wounded by alleged Russian shelling of school no. 35 on Lymanskyi Lane in Kharkiv on March 16, 2022. Helsinki.org.ua reported that at 3am Russian shelling hit a three-story part of a school, destroying an area of 800 square meters and injuring one civilian. The same source reported that later the same day,…

Summary

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