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

26 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK011

Location

вул. Бучми, 40А, Харків, 40a Buchma Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On February 26th 2022, one elderly woman was reportedly killed when an alleged Russian forces artillery strike hit a residential nine storey building with the address of 40a Buchma Street, in Kharkiv.  20 other people were rescued and two were reportedly taken to hospital, injured. Redpost.com reported that there was destruction of the "bearing wall…

Summary

Published
26 February 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
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

26 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK006

Location

Безруки, Bezruky, Kharkiv, Ukraine
One civilian was reportedly killed as a result of Russian forces' shelling of the village of Bezruky, in Kharkiv on February 26th 2022. A Russian BMP, an infantry fighting vehicle, was reportedly abandoned and destroyed. This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR54063 and Bellingcat code CIV0174.

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK003

Location

Харківська Державна Зооветеринарна Академія, Kharkiv State Zoological and Veterinary Academy, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On February 25th 2022 one civilian, a child, was reportedly injured as a result of an alleged Russian shell which hit the "Zoovet Academy", a veterinary academy on Akademichna Street in Mala Danylivka, Kharkiv. According to Harkiv.noyyny news site, Proliska humanitarian mission recieved a request for the evacuation of the area. This assessment has reference…

Summary

Published
25 February 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

25 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK004

Location

вулиця Клочківська, 366, 366 Klochkivska Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On February 25th 2022, Russian military allegedly exploded single cluster bomb at a children's hospital and blood donation facility on Klochkovskaya Street in Kharkiv. One man was reportedly killed and two to three people, employees, including two women, were reportedly injured. The attack was reported to have taken place approximately at 17.00, with the earliest…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK005

Location

Державний біотехнологічний університет, State Biotechnical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On February 25th 2022, two civilians were wounded near the State Biotechnical University in Lozovenki when an alleged Russian shell hit a passing car. According to local sources, all of the students and employees were in a shelter and were not injured. This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53878.

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK001

Location

Микрорайон Авиатор, будинок №157, Чугуїв, Aviator neighborhood (no. 157), Chuhuiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On February 24th 2022, one boy, aged 13, and a man were reportedly killed, and between 12 to 19 civilians were injured, including a woman, as a result of Russian forces firing of "heavy multiple rocket launcher systems" in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv. Whilst multiple sources reported that a young boy had died, only one reported that…

Summary

Published
24 February 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12–19
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident