Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK170

Incident date

May 2, 2022

Location

Руська Лозова, Ruska Lozova, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.139418, 36.279486 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 2 2022, a convoy of vehicles engaged in the evacuation of Ruska Lozova was reportedly hit by mortar fire allegedly directed by Russian forces. According to local media, two cars were damaged and one civilian was injured.

In a post published on Facebook, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, mayor of the neighboring town Derhachi, described the event, stating, “Today we continued the evacuation of residents of Ruska Lozova. Entering the village, our evacuation column of vehicles came under enemy mortar fire, one of the volunteers was injured, whose car was mutilated by shell fragments.” Further detail was given to the outlet Suspielne Media by a volunteer involved in the effort, who said, “Five cars drove by, we drove in the second five in the second car. And as soon as we return to the village, two shells fall in front of us, one in the field, and the other in front of us, we drive up, one of our volunteers is standing, wounded hands, neck.”

According to the Ukrainian outlet Vikna, efforts to evacuate civilians from Ruska Lozova, which lies close to the North of Kharkiv along route E105, had been taking place for several days following the withdrawal of Russian forces. In its coverage of the events of May 2, it reported, “Despite continuous shelling, 200 people managed to be taken out, who had been in occupation for two months.” Kharkov Comments subsequently reported that this brought the total number of people evacuated from the community to 1500.

Ukrainian news outlets published photographs showing volunteers and local residents readying themselves for evacuation.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR57036.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ruska Lozova (Руська Лозова), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.139418, 36.279486. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • 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 belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Zadorenko
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)

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
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • 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 belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]