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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Ukraine
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
School
text search
13 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RUK060

Incident date

March 16, 2022

Location

школа №35, School №35, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.935831, 36.252344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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, at 4:56 p.m, School 35 in Kharkiv, Lymanskyi Lane, was destroyed by an aerial bomb. It is unclear if this is related.

Vgorode.ua added that according to residents of Kharkiv, the school was located in Osnova district.

According to Suspilne News, parents of the students helped clean up the rubble of the destroyed school following the shelling.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Russian forces. However, Perviy Kharkovskyi, a Telegram account with a clear pro-Russian stance, posted on Telegram that the school was hit by the Ukrainian forces.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53554.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 am local time.

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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (image posted by Suspilne News via Telegram)
  • Novoselivka, Kharkiv
  • A school was bombed in Kharkiv
  • Damage to a school caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (image posted by Unian News)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post from State Emergency Service of Ukraine
  • Parents of students help clean up the rubble of a school destroyed by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Parents of students help clean up the rubble of a school destroyed by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Parents of students help clean up the rubble of a school destroyed by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Parents of students help clean up the rubble of a school destroyed by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Parents of students help clean up the rubble of a school destroyed by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A school in Kharkiv after being shelled
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (image posted by Sunlitkh via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 16, 2022. (image posted by Sunlitkh via Telegram)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the school no. 53 on Lymanskyi Lane (провулок Лиманський). Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 49.935831, 36.252344.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white","stroke-opacity":""},"geometry":{"coordinates":[36.252344,49.935831],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.25213076307426,49.93592621594493],[36.252085869081384,49.93588161763799],[36.2522083515274,49.93582559238112],[36.25225648541618,49.93587055764738],[36.25213076307426,49.93592621594493]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.25213436178811,49.9356851637333],[36.25182280296599,49.93536691133474],[36.252108729462265,49.93523755743837],[36.25242728826257,49.935561894084884],[36.25213436178811,49.9356851637333]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}

  • Imagery:
    Sunlitkh

  • Imagery:
    Sunlitkh

  • Imagery:
    24 Channel

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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK056

Incident date

March 14, 2022

Location

Чугуївський дитячий садок № 3, Chuhuiv Kindergarten No. 3, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.831893, 36.684352 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed as a result of shrapnel wounds from an alleged Russian shelling of the city of Chuhuiv on March 14th, 2022.

According to local sources Suspilne Kharkiv and Rodenko Oleksandr via Facebook, shell fragments from artillery fired at a kindergarten resulted in the death of a teenage boy. Police also reported the death of the young boy and stated that “the total number of casualties is being established”.

Though the press service of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, cited by Comments.ua, identified the victim as a 15-year-old boy, police described the victim as 16-years old.

The head of the SIU of the SSMP in the Kharkiv region, Sergey Bolvinov, cited by Objectiv, reported that the shelling of Chuhuiv damaged the kindergarten, three multi-storey buildings and two private houses. Ukrainska pravda reported that a hospital, yards, parks, and markets were shelled in addition to the kindergarten and residential houses.

The Office of the General Prosecutor reported via Facebook that, under the procedural supervision of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the investigators of the SBU Special Forces initiated an ongoing pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

All sources alleged Russian responsibility for the strike, with a tweet from @ArtyomShegeda specifying that a “grad” missile was used.

The police, cited by Ukrainska pravda, stated that investigative and operational teams were gathering physical evidence from the sites of all the bombings to further document Russian crimes.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53324.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Сhuhuiv

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    WAR [ Russia Ukraine Kharkiv ], [14 Mar. 2022 at 22:47] ⚡️The flight of missiles in Chuguev, Kharkiv region.
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Objectiv News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Objectiv News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Objectiv News)
  • Body of a victims of alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Comments.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Comments.ua)
  • Remains of alleged Russian shell part of an attack in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Ukrainska pravda)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Ukrainska pravda)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Newsroom)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Remains of alleged Russian shell part of an attack in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Chuhuiv Reporter
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Rodenko Oleksandr
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Slobidskyi Krai
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Office of General Prosecutor

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a kindergarten in the town of Chuhuiv (Чугуїв). Analyzing audiovisual material from sources we have identified the kindergarten as Chuhuiv Kindergarten No. 3 (Чугуївський дитячий садок № 3), and narrowed the location of the casualty there down to the following exact coordinates: 49.831893, 36.684352.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[36.684352,49.831893],"type":"Point"}}]}

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Objectiv News

  • Tagged visual material from Google Maps. There are two staircases like this mirrored on each side of the kindergarten, but it is this staircase which matches the orientation of images from the strike

    Imagery:
    Карина Босенко

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 child)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK036

Incident date

March 7, 2022

Location

вул. Каштанова & Дергачёвский лицей № 3, Kashtanova Street & Dergachev Lyceum No. 3, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.108270, 36.114390 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

50.109481, 36.120553 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 7th, at 9:30 am, Russian troops allegedly begun shelling the town of Dergachi with artillery, specifically cluster munitions. There were also reports that the troops shot at the town. Vyacheslav Zadorenko, chairman of the Dergachi commune, reported that the munitions hit Dergachi Lyceum No. 3, and other residential parts, killing at least three people and injuring 15. The chairman revealed that the injured were taken to Dergachyoy Central Hospital. News sources like Suspilne and Kharkiv Today quoted Zadorenko’s statement.

The chairman revealed that one of the 15 injured was a four year old child and also referenced information that one of the three dead was killed on Kashtanova Street. Suspilne quoted his observations that “the roof of the lyceum was damaged, windows were broken and there were traces of shots in the school yard”. The pictures in media sources and his Facebook corroborate this account. The school can be seen with windows broken.

The shelling further damaged the town’s power grid infrastructure, leaving residents without access to electricity and its gas supply. Emergency Services allegedly handled the issue of the gas.

Three twitter handles, expressing sympathies towards Russia, tweeted the same response to these allegations “Unfortunately the evacuation of Kharkiv has been disrupted by the Ukroreich. There is firing from residential areas right now along the ring road towards Saltovka np Dergachi. The Ukronazis are firing 120 mm, 152 mm artillery and MLRS. No evacuation in such a situation is out of the question”.

The incident occured at 09:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Gas facility, Power Station, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Source: Viacheslav Zadorenko's Facebook. Broken windows of lyceum
  • Source: Viacheslav Zadorenko's Facebook. Broken windows of lyceum, damages inside school.
  • Source: Viacheslav Zadorenko's facebook. Impact site of shelling in lyceum yard.
  • Source: Objektiv TV . Broken windows of lyceum facing into courtyard with shots in snow.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations being struck. Kashtanova Street (вулиці Каштановій), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.108270, 36.114390; and the Dergachev Lyceum No. 3 (Дергачёвский лицей № 3), for which the exact coordinates are: 50.109481, 36.120553.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[36.120553828557945,50.10948111722439],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.120676165984946,50.10952764484935],[36.12077766213906,50.109445423656126],[36.12089251305056,50.10950880250502],[36.12079101689645,50.10958588477561],[36.120676165984946,50.10952764484935]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0,"label":"E"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.12066815313108,50.10975203947041],[36.120833752118926,50.1096132917755],[36.121092834408586,50.10973491014727],[36.12092723541923,50.10987537041771],[36.12066815313108,50.10975203947041]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0,"label":"D"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.12091655161362,50.10951051544595],[36.120994009204736,50.109452275428026],[36.12112221487368,50.10952764484935],[36.12105277013637,50.109584171837895],[36.12091655161362,50.10951051544595]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0,"label":"A"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.119397296634844,50.10924349199803],[36.11957090847798,50.10910302987435],[36.11974719127298,50.10918867755984],[36.11958426323545,50.10932400059042],[36.119397296634844,50.10924349199803]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0,"label":"B"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.1188123582715,50.10924520494845],[36.11892988013477,50.10910302987435],[36.119194304326555,50.10920752003014],[36.11906609865761,50.109327426485464],[36.1188123582715,50.10924520494845]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"black-white","stroke":"#ff0000","label":"Kashtanova Str (вулиці Каштановій)","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[36.12078897127225,50.10755449978302],[36.12019289529181,50.107503834495844],[36.11955372948185,50.10749922855803],[36.11846930209552,50.10755910571589],[36.11721969702856,50.10763280057648],[36.116465625004594,50.107674253885705],[36.115510467108805,50.10774794856914],[36.115302199597664,50.107807825416046],[36.115036478979505,50.10793679067814],[36.11433267842426,50.1082545964488],[36.113312885783245,50.108775056416874],[36.11260190358976,50.10918497223318],[36.11191698236351,50.10953293755057],[36.11124190836233,50.10986454986323],[36.11060992418959,50.110145497387066],[36.10987739708142,50.110380386674564],[36.10903714539853,50.110656725537694]],"type":"LineString"}}]}

  • Imagery:
    Viacheslav Zadorenko

  • Imagery:
    Viacheslav Zadorenko

  • Imagery:
    Viacheslav Zadorenko

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Gas facility, Power Station, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (7) [ 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

RUK005

Incident date

February 25, 2022

Location

Державний біотехнологічний університет, State Biotechnical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.041320, 36.194789 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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.

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
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the Lozovinka campus of the State Biotechnical University (Державний біотехнологічний університет), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.041320, 36.194789. 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
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]