Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK069

Incident date

March 18, 2022

Location

північна Салтівка, Saltivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.035340, 36.359933 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 18th 2022, alleged Russian bombardment struck the Saltivka area within Kharkiv. The initial reports described a Russian shell striking a residential building, killing one resident.

A wide array of news organizations and social media users reported that Russian shells struck a residential building, killing an elderly man in his apartment. Lb.ua offered the initial report that noted that an elderly man was killed in his home by a Russian shell when the missile struck a residential building. The victim was described as a ninety-six year old Holocaust survivor who survived Buchenwald, Dora-Mittelbau, Bergen-Belson, and Peenemunde. He was also listed as the Vice-President of the International Committee of Buchenwald.

Glavcom.ua News issued a poignant tweet that the victim survived Nazi concentration camps but could not survive “Russia’s denazification rescue operation”. Segodnya.us tweeted that the Buchenwald and Dora-Mittelbau Concentration Camp Memorial mourned the death of this Holocaust survivor.

Hromadske News offered a comprehensive report about the strike, quoted the victim’s daughter. She gave details about her father’s killing, saying that “only bones remained on the bed’s armored mesh, as he was lying”. Mayor Ihor Terekhov asked the city council to help remove the remains and offer financial aid to bury the man.

A plethora of news agencies, including Suspilne Media, CBS News, Nikvesti News, and Twitter users @Israel Threads, @Grey Kharkiv, and Firso Walex all offered reports on the death of a Holocaust survivor allegedly killed by Russian forces.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR54068.

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
    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 (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damage to an apartment in north Saltivka caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 18, 2022. (Image posted by Lb.ua)
  • Damage to an apartment in north Saltivka caused by alleged Russian shelling on March 18, 2022. (Image posted by Lb.ua)
  • Vicitim of alleged Russian shelling on March 18, 2022. (Image posted by Lb.ua)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Saltivka (північна Салтівка), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.035340, 36.359933. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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
    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 (39) [ collapse]