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

9 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK043

Location

вул Академіка Проскури, Akademika Proskury Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
A 16 year old boy was killed by alleged Russian shelling of a market in the village of Zhukovsky on March 9, 2022. Suspilne Media reported that a 16 year old boy was killed by shelling of the market located at 5/7 Akademika Proskury Street in the village of Zhukovsky. Market Director Maryna Volobuyeva stated…

Summary

Published
9 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce (Market)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK045

Location

вулиця Первомайська, 2, Ізюм, Харківська область,, 2, Pershotravneya Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 9th, in the morning, at 9 am, the Russian military allegedly launched airstrikes and then shelled a five story building at 2 Pershotravneya Street in Izyum from a tank on the opposite side until it collapsed. The attack killed between 44 to 54 people, many families, who were trapped under the debris of…

Summary

Published
9 March 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
44–54
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK040

Location

Ізюм, Izium, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Civilians were wounded by alleged Russian shelling of Izium in Kharkiv on March 8, 2022. Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported that artillery shelling in Izyum resulted in damage to the reception department of the central city hospital, the social security office, and a two-story residential building. Suspilne Media added that as a result of…

Summary

Published
8 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK042

Location

Балаклея, Balakleya, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 8th 2022, an explosion in the centre of Balakleia reportedly killed one civilian and injured three other civilians, as a result of alleged Russian warplanes. According to a local source on Twitter, "two planes flew over and dropped three bombs." Telegram posts by Kharkov Nash, which has expressed sympathies for Russia, speculated as…

Summary

Published
8 March 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK039

Location

Фельдман-Екопарк, Feldman Ecopark, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Two civilians, employees of the Feldman Ecopark, were killed when alleged Russian forces carried out mortar and automatic fire in the village of Lisne, Dergachivskyi district on March 8, 2022. Slovoidilo News reported that according to Kharkiv Ecopark's Facebook page, two civilians who came to feed the animals were killed when Russian soldiers attacked them…

Summary

Published
8 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK038

Location

вул. Краснодарська 177, Чугуїв, Krasnodars’ka St. 177, Chuguiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Three civilians, including a child, were injured by alleged Russian shelling of a building at Krasnodarska 177 on March 8, 2022. Donpatriot News added that shells hit a building at Krasnodarskaya 177 which destroyed 27 apartments from the 2nd to the 9th floor, and the 3rd and 4th floors collapsed, resulting in the injury of…

Summary

Published
8 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident