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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

28 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK014

Location

перехрестя вул. Бучми та вул. Гвардійців Широнинців, junction of Buchmy and Hvardiitsiv Shyronintsiv streets, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On February 28th 2022, a reported Russian forces attack hit the junction of Buchmy and Hvardiitsiv Shyronintsiv streets in the city of Kharkiv, killing civilians. Most sources reported that this number was at least nine civilians, including children.  ACLED reported that 'tens' of people were killed, but this was coded as ten fatalities in their…

Summary

Published
28 February 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK013

Location

Провулок 23-го Серпня, 23-ho Serpnya Lane, Kharkiv, Ukraine
At least one and up to four civilians - including / or a whole family and one child - were reportedly killed when 23 August Lane, in Pavlv Pole in Kharkiv was hit on February 28th 2022 by an alleged Russian "Smerch" anti-aircraft missile system. At least 16 people were reported injured. According to Amnesty,…

Summary

Published
28 February 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Water
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
16
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK015

Location

вул. Велика Кільцева, Velika Kiltseva Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
On February 28th 2022, an alleged Russian forces rocket and artillery hit 130 Velika Kiltseva Street in Kharkiv. As a result one civilian was reportedly killed and one to two civilians were injured. Five civilian cars were reportedly set on fire, as a result of the shelling. A report from Helsinki.org stated the following information:…

Summary

Published
28 February 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK016

Location

вул. Кільцева, 130, 130, Kil'tseva Street, Kharkiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine
At least eight civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian shelling on two high-rise buildings on Kiltseva street in Kharkiv, February 28th 2022. Local sources reported the use of rocket launchers and artillery as well as airstrikes. Those injured in the incident were widely reported by local sources to have been on the upper floors…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK017

Location

50 ,вул. Балакірєва, 50, Balakirjeva Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
At least one woman was reported injured and later pronounced dead as a result of alleged Russian shelling in Kharkiv, February 28th 2022. Local sources reported that the woman was a 'pensioner' who died in hospital, after being seriously injured when Russian shelling entered her kitchen on the 11th floor of a residential apartment block.…

Summary

Published
28 February 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

28 February 2022

Incident Code

RUK018

Location

вулиці Клочківській, Харків, Klochkivska Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
One woman was killed by an alleged Russian artillery shell which hit a shop on Klochkivska street in Kharkiv on February 28, 2022. The Kharkiv Human Rights Group reported that a woman's legs were torn off by shelling near the Arbuz store on Klochkivskyi Street in the afternoon of February 28th and that she was…

Summary

Published
28 February 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