Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK128

Incident date

April 17, 2022

Location

центр Харкова, Київський та Шевченківський райони міста, the center of Kharkiv, Kyivsyy and Shevchenkivskyy districts of the city, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Airwars assessment

On the afternoon of April 17th 2022, Russia allegedly fired artillery in the city center of Kharkiv, killing at least five civilians and injuring at least 10 civilians, including a woman.

Despite the preliminary estimates, most reports set the number of civilian deaths at 5 and of injured at 13, while others reported up to 6 dead and 24 injured.

A female volunteer was quoted by XC_Kharkiv on Telegram after sustaining an eye injury from the shelling: “A small fragment in the eye, which the military washed out on the spot and made sure that I could move. I can see well. The ringing in the ears has almost stopped, but no communication until tomorrow. I will run tomorrow.”

A Telegram post by Truexa News UA reported that an elderly woman who was feeding the cats in the park was killed, along with a video showing their body.

A tweet from @_hello_dears_ identified cluster bombs as being used in the shelling, adding that shells hit an “institute” where people were hiding and killed one of the employees.

The shelling seemingly occurred around 1.25 p.m. local time in the districts of Kyiv and Shevchenkiv. Twitter user @_A_Vit_ commented: “The Russian army is purposefully shelling residential areas in order to destroy the Ukrainian people”. As a result of the shelling, “A number of residential buildings, institutes and infrastructure objects of the city were damaged”, Prokuratura_kharkiv reported on Telegram.

There are no other details at this time.

This incident has reference to ACLED code UKR55983.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (33) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group)
  • Smoke caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA via Telegram)
  • Smoke caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA via Telegram)
  • Ukraine latest: Deaths as Kharkiv apartment blocks hit by shelling; Mariupol defenders refuse Russia's surrender-or-die ultimatum
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by XC_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by XC_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by XC_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Rescue services respond to the site of alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by XC_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by XC_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by XC_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by XC_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Impact of alleged Russian shell in Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA)
  • Remnants of an alleged Russian shell in Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA)
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA)
  • Remnants of an alleged Russian shell in Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA via Telegram)
  • Remnants of an alleged Russian shell in Kharkiv on April 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News UA via Telegram)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (33) [ collapse]