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

RUK008

Incident date

February 26, 2022

Location

Бабаї, Babai, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.898395, 36.193462 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 26th 2022, one man, aged 35, was reportedly killed as a result of alleged Russian artillery fire which hit Babai, in Kharkiv.

The artillery was also reported to have destroyed a house.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR54072.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a home caused by alleged Russian shelling of Babai on February 26, 2022. (Image posted by Redpost.com)
  • Damage to a home caused by alleged Russian shelling of Babai on February 26, 2022. (Image posted by Redpost.com)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Babai (Бабаї), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.898395, 36.193462. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

Incident Code

RUK006

Incident date

February 26, 2022

Location

Безруки, Bezruky, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.171762, 36.119517 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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]

  • Anton Koval reported on Facebook that one civilian was killed in the village of Bezruka on February 26th 2022

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bezruky (Безруки), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.171762, 36.119517. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

RUK009

Incident date

February 26, 2022

Location

Перехрестя вул ул. Героев труда и ул. Гвардейцев Широнинцев, Intersection of Heroiv Truda Streeet and Guardeitsev Shironintsev Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.021049, 36.347895 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians were reportedly killed as a result of Russian forces shelling on Saltovka, a residential area in Kharkiv oblast, on February 26th 2022.

The incident was reported to have taken place at the intersection of Heroe Truda Street and Guardeitsev Shironintsev Street.

Kharkiv Today was the source which provided most in-depth detail:

“Around 15:00, a public transport stop on the street came under fire. Heroes of labor. Trolleybuses were running on the route at that time. One of the pedestrians died. The driver Aleksey confirmed the information to Suspіlny. According to him, the contact network is cut off, trolleybuses cannot be sent to the depot.

Later it became known about the death of another person during the shelling on Saltovka. According to Prosecutor General Irina Venediktova, the type of weapon from which the shelling was carried out has not yet been established: explosions continue on the spot.”

The incident was reported between 15.00 and 19.09.

The incident occured between 3:00 pm and 7:09 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the intersection of Heroiv Truda Street (ул. Героев труда) and Guardeitsev Shironintsev Street (ул. Гвардейцев Широнинцев), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.021049, 36.347895. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK010

Incident date

February 26, 2022

Location

Волохів Яр, Volokhiv Yar, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.600219, 36.9786094 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 26th 2022, between one and five civilians were killed, including two 42 year old women and three young men, two who were born in 2000 and 2004, were reported killed and 14 others reported wounded when a passenger bus was hit by alleged Russian gunfire in the village of Volokhiv Yar, Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Espreso.tv put the death toll at five, and stated that “all five dead and wounded are from the local Toretsk community,” quoting the of the Donetsk regional administration Pavel Kirilenko. Other local sources from local media and Twitter put the death toll between one to five. Pravda News indicated that two 42 year old women were killed in this incident.

Multiple local sources including @insheTV5 identified the incident as occurring on the Izyum-Kharkov highway.

Kotenok Z, a Russian war correspondent, and Russian news site Donbass Today both reported that it was “possible” that Ukrainian forces could’ve carried out the shelling because of the “concentration of AFU equipment on Saltovka.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • "On the Izyum-Kharkov highway, the Russian military fired at a passenger bus, 1 person was killed, 14 were injured." (Image via Samvel Sahakyan / Facebook)
  • "On Saturday, February 26, in the Kharkiv region on the Izyum-Kharkov highway, the Russian military fired on a passenger bus with people." (Image via Aif.ua)
  • "Russia continues to attack the civilian population of Ukraine. On the section of the Izyum-Kharkov highway, the enemy fired on a bus with civilians. There are wounded, one person died," Head of Kharkiv regional administration, Oleg Sinegubov said (Image via The Planet Press)
  • Invaders fired at a passenger bus on the Izyum-Kharkov highway: there is a victim, 14 wounded

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Volokhiv Yar (Волохів Яр), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.600219, 36.9786094. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK012

Incident date

February 27, 2022

Location

Кунье, Kunye, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.393164, 37.240925 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 27th, 2022, in Kunye village, in Izyumsky district, Kharkiv oblast, three civilians were reportedly killed and two injured by Russian shelling on a school. A fire was allegedly caused by the shelling that hit Zhovtneviy street. The head of Kunye rural territorial community, Nerses Nersisyan, reported that the shelling damaged the school and several houses nearby. @antiputler_news twitted that it occurred at around 8 pm local time. According to Valery Marchenko, chairman of Izyum city, the injured were taken to Izyumsky hospital for treatment.

According to several local sources, two civilians died where the attack took place, while another one later died in hospital. The chairman of Izyum city added that all the victims came from Kunye village.

The incident occured at approximately 8:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Three civilians were reportedly killed and two others injured by a Russian shelling on a school in Kunye village, on February 27th, 2022. Source: 2day.kh
  • On February 27, 2022, a school was hit by Russian shelling, leading to 3 civilians killed and 2 injured in Kunye village. Source: Obrii.com

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the secondary school of Kunye (Кунье), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.393164, 37.240925. 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
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

RUK014

Incident date

February 28, 2022

Location

перехрестя вул. Бучми та вул. Гвардійців Широнинців, junction of Buchmy and Hvardiitsiv Shyronintsiv streets, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.028182, 36.354090 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 28th 2022, a reported Russian forces attack hit the junction of Buchmy and Hvardiitsiv Shyronintsiv streets in the city of Kharkiv, killing civilians. Most sources reported that this number was at least nine civilians, including children.  ACLED reported that ‘tens’ of people were killed, but this was coded as ten fatalities in their dataset. AOAV reported a higher number of deaths and put the toll at eleven. Kharkiv Human Rights Group reported that there were “dozens of dead, probably hundreds of wounded.” Hromadske news was the only source to report a lower number, reporting that “at least one person died.”

“Dozens” to “hundreds” were reported injured, a number which differed between local sources.

ACLED reported that this attack potentially included “thermobaric artillery”, and Russian forces using multiple rocket launchers and bombed with airstrikes.

Poradyorg.ua reported that the Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Anton Gerashchenko, said on Telegram that Russian forces’ shells hit a high-rise building in this area.

A tweet from @k2-3300 referred to “A large group of Ukrainian armed forces is being liquidated in garages on Buchma Street!” without reference to how many Ukrainian soldiers were killed, or if they died during the same attack.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code: UKR54214.

The incident occured at approximately 12:50 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • A reported Russian missile in Buchma Street, Kharkiv on February 28th 2022 (Image via Porady.org.ua)
  • A reported Russian missile in Buchma Street, Kharkiv on February 28th 2022 (Image via Porady.org.ua)
  • A reported Russian missile in Buchma Street, Kharkiv on February 28th 2022 (Image via Porady.org.ua)
  • A reported Russian missile in Buchma Street, Kharkiv on February 28th 2022 (Image via Porady.org.ua)
  • A reported Russian missile in Buchma Street, Kharkiv on February 28th 2022 (Image via Porady.org.ua)
  • A reported Russian missile in Buchma Street, Kharkiv on February 28th 2022 (Image via Porady.org.ua)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the junction of Buchmy Street (вул. Бучми) and Hvardiitsiv Shyronintsiv Street (вул. Гвардійців Широнинців) in the city of Kharkiv (Харків). The generic coordinates for this junction are: 50.028182, 36.354090. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK013

Incident date

February 28, 2022

Location

Провулок 23-го Серпня, 23-ho Serpnya Lane, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.033043, 36.236832 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one and up to four civilians – including / or a whole family and one child – were reportedly killed when 23 August Lane, in Pavlv Pole in Kharkiv was hit on February 28th 2022 by an alleged Russian “Smerch” anti-aircraft missile system. At least 16 people were reported injured.

According to Amnesty, “at approximately 12:30 local time, an apparent indiscriminate attack in North Kharkiv killed at least 4 civilians, including a child and 3 people collecting drinking water. At least 16 more people were injured.”

UAinfo.org reported that “four people left the bomb shelter to collect water – and died.” Helsinki.org also reported that “after the “end of the air raid” signal, people came out of their shelters to collect water and were fired upon.”

Helsinki.org reported that this incident happened between 12.00 and 13.00.

For reference this assessment has made use of reports from ACLED Code: UKR54214 and Bellingcat Code: CIV0119.

The incident occured at approximately 12:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Truhanewsua reported on Telegram about the shelling on 23 August Lane, Kharkiv (Image via Telegram)
  • Avdeyev.igor posted a message onto Facebook with a photo showing the incident on Pavlov Pol street on February 28th 2022 (Image via Facebook)
  • "Oleg Synegubov, head of the State Administration of Ukraine: three residential areas in Kharkiv were shelled - Oleksiivka, Saltivka, and Pavlovo Pole. 11 killed, more than 40 injured." (Image via Valera Kondratenko / Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Kharkiv, lane 23 August. 28th of February. My family is alive, but there are peaceful victims.

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention 23-ho Serpnya Lane (Провулок 23-го Серпня) in the city of Kharkiv (Харків). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 50.033043, 36.236832.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[36.236832,50.033043],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.237000428852014,50.0326649264708],[36.23665275549823,50.03230809900509],[36.23692273648257,50.0321983054057],[36.23726458290753,50.032555133686856],[36.237000428852014,50.0326649264708]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.236870966157454,50.03296611426072],[36.23681279926387,50.03290857472115],[36.23690237628031,50.032868222275766],[36.23696286985006,50.03292875093089],[36.236870966157454,50.03296611426072]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.23673955952367,50.03310784013135],[36.23668022929132,50.033049553496994],[36.236736069510215,50.03302190468389],[36.23679656307837,50.033077949558304],[36.23673955952367,50.03310784013135]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Truexanews

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Truexanews

  • Tagged Street View imagery from Google Maps

    Imagery:
    Google

  • Tagged Street View imagery from Google Maps

    Imagery:
    Google

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
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK016

Incident date

February 28, 2022

Location

вул. Кільцева, 130, 130, Kil'tseva Street, Kharkiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.927432, 36.433949 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least eight civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian shelling on two high-rise buildings on Kiltseva street in Kharkiv, February 28th 2022. Local sources reported the use of rocket launchers and artillery as well as airstrikes.

Those injured in the incident were widely reported by local sources to have been on the upper floors of two 16-storey residential buildings; another 35 civilians evacuated the buildings during the shelling.

This civilian harm incident was reported to be part of a series of strikes on the street, including civilian casualty incidents RUK0021 and RUK0023.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of DSNS Facebook page, posted February 28th 2022, stating: "On February 28, during shelling, the upper floors of 2 residential 16-story buildings on the street were destroyed. 35 people were evacuated from two buildings. 8 people were injured. 8 units of fire and rescue equipment and 40 personnel of the State Emergency Service were involved in the evacuation work."

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck on Kil’tseva Street (вул. Кільцева). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the exact location of the strike to these coordinates: 49.927432, 36.433949.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[36.433949,49.927432],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.43275248961149,49.9274580609717],[36.43275248961149,49.92699397058382],[36.433272085881384,49.92699397058382],[36.433272085881384,49.9274580609717],[36.43275248961149,49.9274580609717]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}

  • Imagery:
    MNS.GOV.UA

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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]