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

8 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK041

Location

Донець, Donets, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Two civilians, a seven year old girl and her grandmother, were killed and a man was injured by alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Donets on March 8, 2022. The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported that at 7:05pm, at least three unguided aerial bombs were dropped on a residential building in the village of…

Summary

Published
8 March 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK037

Location

Чугуїв, Chuhuyiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
One woman was killed by alleged Russian shelling of the city of Chuhuyiv on March 8, 2022. A tweet from @SerhiiZhorzh reported that a female Russian citizen was killed when Russian shelling hit her home in the city of Chuhuyiv, and that she had been living in Ukraine since 2012. Status Quo News attributed the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK036

Location

вул. Каштанова & Дергачёвский лицей № 3, Kashtanova Street & Dergachev Lyceum No. 3, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 7th, at 9:30 am, Russian troops allegedly begun shelling the town of Dergachi with artillery, specifically cluster munitions. There were also reports that the troops shot at the town. Vyacheslav Zadorenko, chairman of the Dergachi commune, reported that the munitions hit Dergachi Lyceum No. 3, and other residential parts, killing at least three…

Summary

Published
7 March 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education, Resources (Power Station, Gas Facility)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK033

Location

супермаркет «Хазар», вул. Академіка Вальтера, Supermarket "Khazar", Akademika Valtera Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Four civilians were allegedly killed and at least 15 other civilians were injured when a Russian missile shelled a supermarket on March 6th 2022, in Pyatykhatky, Kharkiv. Local source @aliev_aliev reported that the civilians were killed whilst they stood outside the supermarket. A statement from the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s office said, “it was established that…

Summary

Published
6 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce (Market)
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK034

Location

Балаклія, Balakliya, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 6th, 2022, the city centre in Balakliya was allegedly shelled, injuring three women. News sources like Suspilne published Mayor Ivan Stilbovoy's account that “A projectile hit the residential building. This is the city center, 500 meters from the repair plant. As far as I understand, it was ‘Grady’ (Hradiv). Three women are injured."…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 March 2022

Incident Code

RUK032

Location

Підлиман, Pidlyman, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On March 5th 2022, at least four civilians were wounded when alleged Russian forces shelled Pidlyman, a village in the Boriv district of Kharkiv. Helsinki.org.ua reported that they are being treated in the hospital. This assessment has reference to ACLED Code: UKR52772

Summary

Published
5 March 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident