Russian Military in Ukraine

Russian Military in Ukraine

A member of the Ukrainian Emergency Service looks at the City Hall building in the central square following shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Dorogoy)

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Incident Code

RUK167

Incident date

May 1, 2022

Location

Уди, Udy, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.39053562460109, 36.06794838616318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 1st May 2022, at 11:30 am, the Russian armed forces reportedly shelled villages including Udy in the Bohodukhiv district of the Kharkiv region. Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported that the artillery shelling hit amongst other infrastructure a car, killing one women immediately and wounding the two other passengers, a man and another woman. Luidmilla Denisova, in a Facebook post, noted that the shelling also damaged two residential buildings and an educational institution.

The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor announced that investigators of the Bogodukhiv district police department of the GUNP in the Kharkiv region examined the shelling site. The State Security Service of the Kharkiv region will handle the pretrial investigation.

This assessment has reference to ACLED codes UKR56931, UKR56995, UKR56948 and UKR71254.

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Investigators examining shelling site
  • Liudmila Denisova's facebook post

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Udy (Уди), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.39053562460109, 36.06794838616318. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK156

Incident date

April 28, 2022

Location

Покотилівка, Pokotylivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.914123, 36.173651 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that thirty houses, a school and a school administration building were destroyed in Pokotylivka by alleged Russian shelling on April 28, 2022, killing up to two civilians and wounding up to seven others.

Twitter user @HromadskeUA provided information that two men were killed in the shelling. Hromadske News also quoted Nataliya Popova, an adviser to the chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council, who stated that “as a result of Russian shelling of Pokotylivka, civilians were injured. Previously, 3 people were injured. The building collapsed. There are people under the rubble. Rescuers are working,”

The Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office reported that an investigation had been launched into Russian shelling that lasted about 10 hours and resulted in the death of two men and the injury of seven other civilians.

Trukha Ukraine posted on Telegram that as a consequence of the shelling, one person died and two others were injured.

According to Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, the rescue operation lasted all day because there were people in the school building.

This assessment has reference to ACLED codes UKR56748 and UKR56966.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Pokotylivka (Покотилівка). Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 49.914123, 36.173651.

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  • Imagery:
    Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office

  • Imagery:
    Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office

  • Imagery:
    Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK097

Incident date

April 4, 2022

Location

Кулиничі, Kulinichi, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.986288, 36.387795 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the early morning hours of April 4th, 2022, suspected Russian shells fell upon the village of Kulinichi in Kharkiv, injuring three civilians.

XC_Kharkiv reported that “a kindergarten, a hospital and about five houses were destroyed.” Additionally, the three wounded were removed from the rubble left behind by the shells.

Telegram accounts Huyovy_Kharkiv and XC_Kharkiv attributed shelling of the village of Kulinichi to Russian forces. Huyovy_Kharkiv pointed out Russian claims that they are “demilitarizing” alongside images of damage to buildings.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kulinichi (Кулиничі), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.986288, 36.387795. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK085

Incident date

March 28, 2022

Location

Національний аерокосмічний університет, National Aerospace University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.043860, 36.282897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was injured while walking around the National Aerospace University in Kharkiv on March 28, 2022.

Khai news posted on Telegram that during a shelling of the National Aerospace University, the arena building and DMS-3 were damaged (glass was damaged in some rooms) and a man who was walking near the buildings was injured.

A Telegram post from TrukhaUkraine added that passersby provided first-aid to the victim and images show the victim covered in blood.

The head of the Kharkiv Alp Club posted on Facebook that the shelling occurred where one of the first rock climbing walls in Kharkiv is located.

The majority of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Russian forces.

This incident has reference to ACLED’s code: UKR68076.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The head of the Kharkiv Alpine Club, Gennady Kopeika discusses the damage to the University caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 28, 2022. (Via Facebook)
  • Telegram post by TrukhaUkraine
  • Telegram post by TrukhaUkraine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Telegram post by TrukhaUkraine (Graphic)
  • Telegram post by TrukhaUkraine
  • Damage to the National Aerospace University caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine)
  • Damage to the National Aerospace University caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Gennadii Kopeika
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Valery Shabanov
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Yan Dobronosov
  • The National Aerospace University named after Zhukovsky "KHAI", which houses one of the first rock climbing walls in Kharkiv, reports the head of the Kharkiv Alpine Club, Gennady Kopeika. As reported in the press service of Khai, a man who was passing by was injured as a result of the shelling. The arena building and the DMS-3 building were damaged (glass was damaged in some rooms).
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Sergey Petrov
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Sergey Petrov

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the National Aerospace University (Національний аерокосмічний університет) in the city of Kharkiv (Харків). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, Airwars has narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 50.043860, 36.282897.

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  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    TPXA

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK082

Incident date

March 26, 2022

Location

Барвінкове, Barvinkove, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

48.903505, 37.022460 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At approximately 11am on March 26th 2022, Russian forces reportedly shelled the town of Barvinkove in the Izyum district of Kharkiv, resulting in the deaths of at least four Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian, as well as causing a fire in a secondary school. Multiple Ukrainian news sources, and a number of posts on Telegram reported the attack and the deaths of the four personnel members and one civilian. All the reports stated that the number of civilian injuries was to be determined, with no source giving a figure. The fire in the secondary school, also referred to as a lyceum, was subsequently extinguished.

Investigators for the State Security Service of Ukraine, under the procedural leadership of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office have launched a pre-trial investigation into the alleged attack for violating the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder as per Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Perviy Kharkovskyi, a presumably Ukrainian Telegram channel with a clear pro-Russian stance and Kharkov Nash Telegram channel, a Ukrainian channel based in Kharkiv with local correspondents in the city, both claimed that the school was being used by Ukrainian forces to create a ‘human shield’ for the Ukrainian soldiers, therefore attempting to shift the blame onto Ukrainian forces by suggesting they had broken the laws of war themselves. One of the sources, Kharkov Nash, identified five soldiers as being killed in the attack, without directly contesting that the civilian killed was actually a soldier.

This incident has ACLED’s reference code: UKR54576.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Ukrainian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–5

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Barvinkove on March 26, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Barvinkove on March 26, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Barvinkove on March 26, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Barvinkove on March 26, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Barvinkove (Барвінкове), for which the generic coordinates are: 48.903505, 37.022460. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Ukrainian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–5

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK078

Incident date

March 22, 2022

Location

Лозова, Lozova, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

48.888770, 36.309767 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Tuesday March 22nd 2022, one civilian was reportedly killed and up to nine others injured by an alleged Russian missile strike in the city of Lozova, in the region of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine.

Suspilne Kharkiv telegram channel monitored the accounts of injuries to civilians from two, to four, to finally eight. Most sources, such as Truexa news telegram channel, and Espreso.tv reported eight wounded civilians, while AOAV, the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, and Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union accounted for nine. Suspilne Kharkiv telegram channel, AOAV, and Ukrinform account also for one civilian fatality in the attack. Atn.ua confirmed that all the victims are civilians and Suspilne Kharkiv telegram channel reported that there were no children among them.

As a result of the four missiles accounted by Truexa news ua telegram channel and Slovoidilo, more than 20 residential buildings were hit and destroyed at around 15:30, including schools and kindergartens according to the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group report, in addition to several boiler rooms causing boiler plants in the city to be switched off according to the Kharkiv Times. The Mayor of Lozova, Serhii Zelenskyi, published a video on Facebook confirming the attack and the head of the Kharkiv State Administration Oleg Sinegubov announced that the equipment of the boiler plants was not damaged, the workers were safe and the city was working to restore heat and gas supplies, as reported by Ukrinform, Espreso.tv, and Kharkiv Times.

The suspected attacker is alleged to be Russia, as reported by most of the sources including Kharkiv Times, Ukrinform, and Espreso.tv, although responsibility has been contested by Perviy Kharkovsky telegram channel, a Ukrainian Telegram channel with a clear pro-Russian stance, which challenging Sinegubov’s declarations that Russia was responsible for the shelling.

This incident has ACLED’s reference code: UKR53879

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • Arrival of shells in Lozova on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa news ua via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Residents of Lozova fix damage caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 22, 2022. (Image posted by ХС_Kharkiv via Telegram)
  • "Russian Peace"...
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Sergey.zelensky
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by konkretnoPRO
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Pervomaisky INFOclub
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Hromadske
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by LozovaCity
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Zakarpattya24
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by UAReads
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Ukraine knows

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Lozova (Лозова), for which the generic coordinates are: 48.888770, 36.309767. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK070

Incident date

March 18, 2022

Location

Харківський регіональний інститут державного управління, Kharkiv Regional Institute of Public Administration, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.991022, 36.254031 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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 a State Emergency employee whose death resulted from “repeated shelling during a rescue mission.” According to DSNS Telegram channel and Sunlitkh, a total of 55 people and 13 units were deployed with the State Emergency Service. Majority of the sources, including a report from the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union and Radio Svoboda, account for 11 civilians reported injured, with ACLED Dataset identifying one of them as a firefighter. Moreover, multiple sources such as Pravda news and the Kharkivlife telegram channel, report one person being under the rubble, later reported by @zynicism twitter account as rescued and not severely injured, technically raising the civilian injured count to 12.

Around 8.40 am a series of missile strikes hit Barabashovo market, as reported by the ACLED Dataset report, and according to the majority of sources, including Kharkiv Today, the six-story building of the Kharkiv Regional Institute of Public Administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine was damaged. Moreover, most sources report damages to two neighboring residential buildings, where fires were extinguished according to, among other sources, Novynarnia news. According to LB.ua, information about the attack were also confirmed by the deputy head of Kharkiv OVA Roman Semenukha, and the head of the Main Department of the National Police of the Kharkiv region, Volodymyr Tymoshko, who published pictures of the damaged buildings and stated that the area was indeed residential and that a piece of the control unit of the missile had been recovered.

The vast majority of the sources identify the suspected attackers with the occupying Russian forces, including Radio Svoboda, Obozrevatel news, and the aforementioned local telegram channels such as Kharkivlife.

This assessment has reference to ACLED Code UKR53483.

The incident occured at approximately 8:40 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–12
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of enemy shelling, the building of a higher educational institution and residential buildings were damaged. There are dead and injured. This was reported to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine." (Image via Kharkivlife / Telegram)
  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of enemy shelling, the building of a higher educational institution and residential buildings were damaged. There are dead and injured. This was reported to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine." (Image via Kharkivlife / Telegram)
  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of enemy shelling, the building of a higher educational institution and residential buildings were damaged. There are dead and injured. This was reported to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine." (Image via Kharkivlife / Telegram)
  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of enemy shelling, the building of a higher educational institution and residential buildings were damaged. There are dead and injured. This was reported to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine." (Image via Kharkivlife / Telegram)
  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of enemy shelling, the building of a higher educational institution and residential buildings were damaged, at least one person died, 11 were injured, and one is under rubble." (Image via Pravda)
  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of rocket fire on the morning of March 18, the premises of the regional institute of public administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine were destroyed." (Image via Ib.ua)
  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of rocket fire on the morning of March 18, the premises of the regional institute of public administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine were destroyed." (Image via Ib.ua)
  • "In Kharkiv, as a result of rocket fire on the morning of March 18, the premises of the regional institute of public administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine were destroyed." (Image via Ib.ua)
  • Emergency services attend to alleged Russian attack on March 18th 2022 in Kharkiv (Image via Suspilne.media)
  • Mukachevo.net
  • "As a result of shelling by Russian troops in Kharkiv on March 18, residential buildings and the building of a higher educational institution were damaged. One person died, one was buried under the rubble, and there are still other victims, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reports." (Image via Radiosvoboda / news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Kharkiv Regional Institute of Public Administration (Харківський регіональний інститут державного управління), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.991022, 36.254031. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–12
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK065

Incident date

March 17, 2022

Location

Мерефа, Merefa, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.809894, 36.056189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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 of an alleged Russian missile, asking for followers to help identify what the user believed was a “long range cruise missile”. Telegram user Kharkiv_1654 posted that a “Russian rocket blew up a school today in the city of Merefa.” The initial report from Suspline described the scene in Merefa, at 3:30 a.m., saying that Russian shelling destroyed a school and a cultural center, and damaged nearby houses. Suspline went on to quote Veniamin Sitov, head of the Merefyansk community: “We got to the center of the cultural center, nothing was left of it. There were people in it. Of the civilians, thank God, there are no victims, there are some of the military. The civilians managed to escape the destruction, the military was sent to the hospital,” said Sitov.

According to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, 21 people died, 25 were injured, 10 of them were in serious condition. This report was later released and supported by Censor.Net News, Slk.kh.ua, Slovoidilo.ua, and Zaxid News. Zaxid was the first to list the number of wounded as twenty-six. In addition to the detail about the destruction, these reports, as well as Facebook posts from Prokuratura Kharkiv, also noted that investigators of the State Security Service of Ukraine in the Kharkiv Region launched a pre-trial investigation into the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

RBC-Ukraine News reported that, “in the Kharkiv region, the consequences of enemy attacks on Merefa continue to be eliminated. The number of dead and injured continues to grow.” Sq.com.ua and and Newsroom.kh.ua later noted an increase in casualties, both elevating the number of wounded to twenty-six and the dead to twenty-three.

A Telegram message by user Perviy Kharkovskyi, identified as a Telegram channel with a clear pro-Russian stance, reiterated that a Russian “Kalibr” missile caused the casualties but referred to those killed and injured as soldiers, and went on to question why soldiers were in a school and the cultural center, “civilian objects.”

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53681 and Bellingcat code CIV0410.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 26
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–23
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–26
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–23

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (46) [ collapse]

  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Merefa, Kharkiv region, bombed the 6th school
  • Type of Russian missile that allegedly struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by 2day.kh.ua)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by 2day.kh.ua)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by DSNS via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Censor)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Prokuratura Kharkiv
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura Kharkiv)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Near Kharkov, they attacked the city of Merefa. A fire is raging there.
  • 21 people died, 25 were injured as a result of the night shelling of the city of Merefa near Kharkiv - the regional prosecutor's office. As a result of enemy shelling, the school and cultural center were destroyed.
  • Merefa School again. House of culture. Victims

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Merefa (Мерефа), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.809894, 36.056189. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 26
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–23
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–26
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–23

Sources (38) [ collapse]