Russian Military in Ukraine

On February 24th 2022, Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, capturing large areas of territory while conducting airstrikes across the country. Following successful Ukrainian counteroffensives, the war mostly continues along the front lines, however civilians are harmed by sporadic Russian airstrikes across the country.

Airwars documented hundreds of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Ukraine during the 2022 Battle of Kharkiv, and has produced a number of research papers and investigations. Since 2023, Airwars’ focus on Ukraine is mainly on munitions identification and tracking.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

275 – 381

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Ukraine for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 200 separate alleged incidents.

30 – 33
children likely killed
51
women likely killed
471
likely injured
62
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Ukraine, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
323 – 432
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Ukraine.
200 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
275 – 381
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
138 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
41 – 42
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
60 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7 – 9
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
2 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 seperate alleged incidents
199 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

14 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK056

Location

Чугуївський дитячий садок № 3, Chuhuiv Kindergarten No. 3, Kharkiv, Ukraine
A child was reported killed as a result of shrapnel wounds from an alleged Russian shelling of the city of Chuhuiv on March 14th, 2022. According to local sources Suspilne Kharkiv and Rodenko Oleksandr via Facebook, shell fragments from artillery fired at a kindergarten resulted in the death of a teenage boy. Police also reported…

Summary

Published
14 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK055

Location

Глазунівка, Hlazunivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Local sources alleged that Russian forces shelled near the village of Glazunivka, striking a gas treatment facility, resulting in one injured civilian the evening of March 13, 2022. @black_cerber tweeted that shelling at night hit ShebelynkaGasVydobuvannya, located near the village of Glazunivka in the Izyum district, resulting in fires in the building of the operator’s…

Summary

Published
13 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Resources (Gas Facility)
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK054

Location

Золочів, Zolochiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 12th 2022 three people were reportedly wounded when alleged Russian shells hit Zolochiv.  Local reports also indicated that 15 houses were damaged and a military enlistment office was destroyed. @black_cerber reported that the civilians injured were over 50 years old, one who was in a serious condition from the shelling after being hit…

Summary

Published
12 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Resources (Gas Facility, Power Station), Water
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK053

Location

вулиці Шариковій, Sharykova Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 12th 2022 alleged Russian forces shelled Sharykova Street in the industrial district of Kharkiv, reportedly hitting an ambulance and injuring one health worker. Suspilnekharkiv reported on Telegram that "an ambulance paramedic recieved a shrapnel wound in the adomen" when "the brigade came under fire on Sharykova Street." The director of the Center for…

Summary

Published
12 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK052

Location

Дергачі, Dergachi, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 11th 2022, reported Russian shelling continued in the city of Dergachi. According to local sources, at least three civilians were killed and one civilian was injured. Local sources were reporting that amongst the dead is the former chief of the Dergachi district police department/former vice-rector of the Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs…

Summary

Published
11 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Resources (Gas Facility), Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK051

Location

село Високий, село Ржавець, Vysoky and Rzhavets villages, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 11th 2022, at approximately 3:30 p.m., five civilians were reportedly injured by Russian artillery shelling on Vysoky and Rzhavets villages, Kharkiv district. Sources also added that 10 residential buildings were damaged during the attack. Sources quoted the press service of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Summary

Published
11 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident