Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK182

Incident date

May 8, 2022

Location

Калинове, Kalynove, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.257533, 36.086976 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 8th 2022, two civilians, two men, were reportedly killed following alleged Russian artillery shelling in Kalynove (Kalinove) village, Kharkiv oblast.

Ukrainska Pravda said: “In Kalynove, two people were killed when a projectile hit a house. The shelling of the village took place from the side of Kozachya Lopana at approximately 4:00 p.m. [according to] Kovalenko’s [head of Zolochiv community] direct speech: “Two men, 71 and 51 years old, went to a house to have lunch. And then a projectile flew right into the house. Both died.” Kharkiv Human Rights Protection group reported that “a shell hit the house where two men were staying. The direct hit started a fire that destroyed the entire building and left the men with life-threatening injuries”.

The Victims Memorial platform published the story as well as testimonies of family and friends of the 50 years-old victim, stating that that man died “in the yard of his neighbor and friend”. According to that source, the man was born and lived in Kalynove village. He “worked in a bakery of one of the supermarkets in Kharkiv”. He was described by the mayor of the district as a “kind and hardworking person”, “helping his neighbors as much as he could” during the full-scale war. Below are two testimonies quoted by Victims Memorial from one of his daughers and from one of his friends:

“Dad was not used to sitting idly by – and at home, after work, he always had a lot of trouble: gardens, livestock, household chores. He worked all his life for the benefit of the family. His only recreation was watching movies. Dad was the best for me. (…) Dad always waited for me at home after school. There are no words to explain how painful it is… This is a terrible and irreparable loss in my life…”

“He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, son and best friend! He raised two daughters with great love and care. He helped everyone who turned to him, did not refuse [to help] even in difficult situations. [He] sought to develop and live fully. At the age of 50, he bought his first car. Words cannot convey all the pain and sadness, because a person has just begun to achieve success,”

The General Prosecutor Office on Telegram added that apart from the two victims, Russian shelling also damaged “ten residential buildings” and that “more than ten more were destroyed.”. Another source quoting the head of the Zolochiv community, Viktor Kovalenko, said “the occupiers hit Kalinovy from the side of Kozachai Lopan. The shelling ended around 16:00. As a result, eight houses were destroyed and a fire broke out.”

Politinform reported that “due to this fact, criminal proceedings have been opened under Part 2 of Article 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war, related to intentional murder) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The pre-trial investigation is conducted by the investigative department of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region, the regional prosecutor’s office is in charge of the process.”

ACLED’s reference code for this incident is UKR57453.

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 pm local time.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kalynove ( Калинове), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.257533, 36.086976. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • "As a result of enemy artillery shelling of the village of Kalinove in Kharkiv Oblast, two people died ". Source: @PolitinformNet
  • "As a result of today's enemy shelling of the village of Kalinove (formerly Zhovtneve) of the Zolochiv community, two civilians were killed, and two dozen buildings were destroyed and damaged" Source: @ XAPKIB
  • "A RUINED HOUSE IN THE ZOLOCHEV COMMUNITY. PHOTO: VIKTOR KOVALENKO FOR "SOCIAL"". Source: Ukrainska Pravda
  • "A RUINED HOUSE IN THE ZOLOCHEV COMMUNITY. PHOTO: VIKTOR KOVALENKO FOR "SOCIAL"". Source: Ukrainska Pravda
  • Damage to civilian housing following alleged Russian artillery shelling in Kalynove village on May 8th 2022. Source: Suspilne News
  • Source: Suspilne News
  • Damage to civilian housing following alleged Russian artillery shelling in Kalynove village on May 8th 2022. Source: Suspilne News
  • "two dozen residential buildings were destroyed and damaged in the village of Kalinove". Source: Novynarnia
  • "On May 8, 2022, the Russian military shelled the village of Kalynove, Bohodukhiv district. The shelling killed two men. Ten residential buildings were damaged and more than ten more were destroyed.". Source: General Prosecution Office
  • "On May 8, 2022, the Russian military shelled the village of Kalynove, Bohodukhiv district. The shelling killed two men. Ten residential buildings were damaged and more than ten more were destroyed.". Source: General Prosecution Office
  • "On May 8, 2022, the Russian military shelled the village of Kalynove, Bohodukhiv district. The shelling killed two men. Ten residential buildings were damaged and more than ten more were destroyed.". Source: General Prosecution Office
  • "Russian military opened fire on the village of Kalynove: two people were killed 🖌 Under the procedural supervision of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation was initiated into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). According to the investigation, on May 8, 2022, the Russian military shelled the village of Kalynove, Bohodukhiv district. The shelling killed two men. Ten residential buildings were damaged and another dozen were destroyed. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the SBU Office in Kharkiv region.". Source: Kharkiv Prosecutor Office on Facebook (screenshot)
  • "Currently, the Russian-backed militants are intensively shelling the village of Kalynove in Zolochiv district. There is information about fires in residential areas and two civilian casualties. In the morning, the invaders shelled the villages of Udy and Oleksandrivka. An agricultural enterprise and a shop were destroyed, as well as private households.". Source: Vasyl Miroshnik (Facebook screenshot)
  • " The aftermath of the shelling of Kalynove village in Zolochyvka district, May 8, photo: Viktor Kovalenko". Source: Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group

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
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]