Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK119

Incident date

April 14, 2022

Location

Борова, Borova, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.37876420643618, 37.63268072165282 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 14th 2022, at least seven and up to ten civilians were killed and between 13 to 30 were injured, including at least one child, when Russian forces shells and gunfire hit evacuation buses in the village of Borova, Izyum district of Kharkiv. Kharkiv Today reported that evacuation from the region began on April 4th after the area became under temporary Russian occupation. Other local sources noted that attacks by Russian forces on evacuation buses were common.

Interfax news reported that four people wounded by the shelling of evacuation buses were in serious condition. Interfax news also reported that on Borovka village council’s Facebook page it stated that “according to our information, there are 7 wounded in Brovaya hospital, 4 of them in serious condition, there is one wounded child. The hospital is in urgent need of medication, including anaesthetics, as well as food and clothing for the injured.” It also reported that due to the destroyed roads and bridges in the area, it is impossible to bring medicine and other vital aid, “as well as the fact that the Russian occupiers prohibit movement between villages in the community.”

Dialog.ua news reported that “the tragedy happened on Thursday April 14th near the village of Borova, near the Russian occupied town of Izyum. The Russian Armed Forces opened fire on buses carrying civilians who were trying to leave the site of the fighting. Judging by the footage made public, the strike was carried out by Russian artillery. Two vans were seriously damaged. Seven people were killed in the attack and 27 others were injured with varying degrees of severity.”

Suspilne Kharkiv reported on Telegram the highest number of dead and injured, stated that “about 10 people were killed as a result of the shelling of civilian buses by the Russian military near the village of Borova in Kharkiv region on April 14, and up to 30 civilians were wounded, Dmytro Chubenko, a spokesman for the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office told Suspilne. The exact number of victims, the circumstances and the route of the buses are being established by law enforcement officers – Borova is under temporary occupation.”

Zdorova Luganschina reported on Faceook that “recently a tragedy took place that claimed lives and cut off the only way we could deliver vital medicines to you. The carrier’s minibuses were shelled near the village of Borova… the buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive.”

Rayon.in.ua reported that “under the procedural control of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation was launched into the violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder… according to the investigation, on April 14 2022, Russian serviceman fired at evacuation buses with civilians in the village of Borova, Izyum distict.”  The pre-trial investigation was being conducted by the SBU Office in Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv Today also reported that since April 4th when evacuations began from Boroyava, “half of the 15,000 residents of Borovaya have left.”

This incident has reference to ACLED code UKR89137.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Borova (Борова), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.37876420643618, 37.63268072165282. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–30
  • 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 belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • "In Kharkiv Region, Russian occupants opened fire on buses that were evacuating civilians - many dead and wounded." (Image via Dialog.ua / News)
  • "In Kharkiv Region, Russian occupants opened fire on buses that were evacuating civilians - many dead and wounded." (Image via Dialog.ua / News)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "As reported by Ukrinform, residents of Borova were urged to evacuate by their own transport or by buses provided by the village council to the trains on April 4. Since then, half or even more of the 15,000 residents have left, and the village council cannot accurately count the number of people who left by their own transport." (Image via Larysa Bodareva / Facebook)
  • "Occupants shelled evacuation buses with civilians - investigation launched" (Image via Kharkiv Regional Persecutor / Facebook)

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
    Healthcare facility, Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–30
  • 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 belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]