Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK001

Incident date

February 24, 2022

Location

Микрорайон Авиатор, будинок №157, Чугуїв, Aviator neighborhood (no. 157), Chuhuiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.851039, 36.659746 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 24th 2022, one boy, aged 13, and a man were reportedly killed, and between 12 to 19 civilians were injured, including a woman, as a result of Russian forces firing of “heavy multiple rocket launcher systems” in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv.

Whilst multiple sources reported that a young boy had died, only one reported that “a son wept over the body of his father among the wreckage of a missile strike” indicating that a man was also killed in this attack.

Bellingcat reported in their summary of the incident that the “crater is very large, possibly cruise or ballistic missile as part of an attack on nearby airport.”

Glavcom.ua reported that the fire in the building was first reported at 08.23 and emergency services were called at approximately 09.30. According to the State Service for Emergency Situations, three rescue tankers, an ambulance and a ladder were dispatched to the scene.

Telegram channels publishing pro-Russian content sources disputed this incident, with Russian Spring Z reporting on Telegram that the death of the boy is a “lie”.  Russia Today also reported that the photo of the woman injured as a result of Russian forces action was also fake, and “a few days later, new images emerged: she was posing with a gun.” It also reported on the “unnateral colour of the blood.” War with Fakes also reported the same information. The conflicted military status of the woman does not appear in our Airwars assessment due to the allegations of the material collected as Russian State-affiliated media or pro-Russian channels.

This assessment has reference to ACLED Code: UKR52163 and Bellingcat Code: CIV0001.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–19
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • "Russia has invaded Ukraine. They bombed a civilian apartment complex in Chuhuiv, near Kharkiv." (Image via @AlexanderLouri4 / Twitter)
  • "Russia has invaded Ukraine. They bombed a civilian apartment complex in Chuhuiv, near Kharkiv." (Image via @AlexanderLouri4 / Twitter)
  • "Russia has invaded Ukraine. They bombed a civilian apartment complex in Chuhuiv, near Kharkiv." (Image via @AlexanderLouri4 / Twitter)
  • "Russia has invaded Ukraine. They bombed a civilian apartment complex in Chuhuiv, near Kharkiv." (Image via @AlexanderLouri4 / Twitter)
  • AFP reported that "a son wept over the body of his father" after an alleged Russian strike in Chuguiv on February 24th 2022 (Image via AFP)
  • AFP reported that "a son wept over the body of his father" after an alleged Russian strike in Chuguiv on February 24th 2022 (Image via AFP)
  • AFP reported that "a son wept over the body of his father" after an alleged Russian strike in Chuguiv on February 24th 2022 (Image via AFP)
  • "Chuhuiv, 49.8297932275, 36.6819746745" (Image via @Michael1Sheldon / Twitter)
  • "Chuhuiv, 49.8297932275, 36.6819746745" (Image via @Michael1Sheldon / Twitter)
  • 24tv.ua news reported that one boy was killed as a result of a fire caused by a Russian artillery on February 24th 2022 (Image via 24tv.ua)
  • 24tv.ua news reported that one boy was killed as a result of a fire caused by a Russian artillery on February 24th 2022 (Image via 24tv.ua)
  • 24tv.ua news reported that one boy was killed as a result of a fire caused by a Russian artillery on February 24th 2022 (Image via 24tv.ua)
  • 24tv.ua news reported that one boy was killed as a result of a fire caused by a Russian artillery on February 24th 2022 (Image via 24tv.ua)
  • 24tv.ua news reported that one boy was killed as a result of a fire caused by a Russian artillery on February 24th 2022 (Image via 24tv.ua)
  • "A civilian, a 13-year-old boy, Anton Tarasenko, died as a result of shelling by Russian troops. This was reported by his aunt Olena Tarasenko." (Image via Incident.obozrevatel)
  • "A civilian, a 13-year-old boy, Anton Tarasenko, died as a result of shelling by Russian troops. This was reported by his aunt Olena Tarasenko." (Image via Incident.obozrevatel)
  • "A civilian, a 13-year-old boy, Anton Tarasenko, died as a result of shelling by Russian troops. This was reported by his aunt Olena Tarasenko." (Image via Incident.obozrevatel)
  • Destruction after an alleged Russian artillery strike in Kharkiv on February 24th 2022 (Image via Kharkov.comments)
  • Destruction after an alleged Russian artillery strike in Kharkiv on February 24th 2022 (Image via Kharkov.comments)
  • "Chuguev, airfield" (Image via @ 9C04zcHEWoEbAX4 / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An apartment complex in Is devastated by bombardment, south of Kharkiv. Untold number of casualties.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "I'm just lucky that I stayed alive. I'll get up, I'll go, I'll do everything for Ukraine, as much as I can" A resident of Chugueva survived when a projectile hit her apartment building
  • A minor boy who was in the house died as a result of the shelling. A fire broke out in one of the buildings on the area of three floors. Rescuers localized the fire. There are a certain number of injured residents.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on an apartment block in the Aviator neighbourhood (Микрорайон Авиатор) of Chuhuiv (Чугуїв). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to the following coordinates: 49.851039, 36.659746.

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  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Alexander Lourie

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Justin Yau

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Alexander Lourie

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
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–19
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]