Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK179

Incident date

May 6, 2022

Location

Василенкове, Vasylenkove, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.77798, 37.03764 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 6, 2022, five civilians, including a woman and a child, were reportedly killed by an alleged Russian-planted exploding mine when attempting to evacuate to Kharkiv by car from Kupyansk.

According to a post shared by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office’s Telegram channel, Ukrainian authorities first became aware of this incident when approached by a member of the public. The post gives further information regarding the identities of the civilians affected and the circumstances that led to their reported deaths, stating “pre-trial investigation established that people tried to evacuate from Kupyansk to Kharkiv. According to preliminary data, the car with passengers hit a mine. A 50-year-old woman, a 17-year-old boy and three men aged 19, 20 and 41 were in the car – all of them died.”

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, on October 3 the information given was confirmed when officials visited the site of the reported incident. On this, the post states, “prosecutors together with explosives experts, forensic experts and police investigators conducted an inspection of the scene, during which a burnt-out car and the bodies of the dead were discovered.” Five photographs of this scene were provided on the Prosecutor’s Office’s Telegram Channel, which show burned money, a damaged tire, and other debris in a field near what appears to be a small crater. The Office has stated that a pre-trial investigation has been launched in relation to these events for the alleged “violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder.”

This event has been covered by numerous Ukrainian outlets, including DonPatriot News, which differed from the Prosecutor’s Office on the age of one of the alleged victims, reporting, “It is known that these 5 people are residents of Kupyansk, who tried to evacuate to Kharkiv on their own by car on May 6, but encountered a racist mine on the way. Among them are a 41-year-old, a 18-year-old, a 19-year-old, a 20-year-old, and a 50-year-old.”

MediaPort and Suspilne Media, GX, and Obozrevatel all reported on this event, attributing responsibility for the placement of the mine to Russian forces.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR75457 and UKR76971.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Serhii Bolviniv
  • Remnants of a vehicle blown up by an alleged Russian mine in Kharkiv on May 6, 2022. (Image posted by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office)
  • Remnants of a vehicle blown up by an alleged Russian mine in Kharkiv on May 6, 2022. (Image posted by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office)
  • Remnants of a vehicle blown up by an alleged Russian mine in Kharkiv on May 6, 2022. (Image posted by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office)
  • Remnants of a vehicle blown up by an alleged Russian mine in Kharkiv on May 6, 2022. (Image posted by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office)
  • Remnants of a vehicle blown up by an alleged Russian mine in Kharkiv on May 6, 2022. (Image posted by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Vasylenkove (Василенкове), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.77798, 37.03764. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK174

Incident date

May 4, 2022

Location

Старий Салтів, Staryi Saltiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.099884, 36.775080 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, including a child, were killed and two injured, a woman and her six month old daughter, in an alleged Russian military personnel attack near Staryi Saltiv on a 15 vehicle convoy which had been evacuating the then Russian occupied city of Vovchansk on May 4, 2022.

Investigators arrived at the scene two days after the attack and launched a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war combined with intentional murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the criminal code of Ukraine). When conducted by the Chuguyiv District Police, they found six of the cars in the convoy had been damaged and four unrecognisable burnt corpses.

The Victims Memorial provided the details of a young girl aged 13 who was killed instantly in the attack. She was evacuating with her mother and six-month old sister who were both severely injured in the attack and taken to Vokhansk hospital. The family had travelled to Vovchansk with the belief that it would be safer in the case of a Russian invasion however soon had to evacuate due to clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Details of the three further civilians killed in this attack are unknown at the time of writing.

Images posted on the telegram channels of prokuratura_kharkiv and pgo_gov_ua detail the damage caused to four of the vehicles. One five door car was burnt and destroyed beyond recognition with additional damage to the front; another was also burnt but with less severity; a black BMW had visible gunshot entry damage to the front windscreen and vehicle left, both visible tires were flat; another car had heavy damage to the bottom front and gunshots to the driver’s side of the front windscreen. 300 meters from the cars a damaged Russian tank was also found abandoned, through 150 meters from this the charred bodies of two men in Russian military uniforms were also found.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR57183.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of the victims of an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura_kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura_kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura_kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura_kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Result of an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura_kharkiv via Telegram)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Sergey Bolvinov
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Sergey Bolvinov via Facebook)
  • Russian tank found near an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Sergey Bolvinov via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Sergey Bolvinov via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Sergey Bolvinov via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Sergey Bolvinov via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Russian attack on an evacuation convoy in Staryi Saltiv on May 4, 2022. (Image posted by Sergey Bolvinov via Facebook)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention vehicles struck in the vicinity of the town of Staryi Saltiv (Старий Салтів). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 50.099884, 36.775080.

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  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Prokuratura_kharkiv

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Prokuratura_kharkiv

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Prokuratura_kharkiv

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Prokuratura_kharkiv

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK170

Incident date

May 2, 2022

Location

Руська Лозова, Ruska Lozova, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.139418, 36.279486 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 2 2022, a convoy of vehicles engaged in the evacuation of Ruska Lozova was reportedly hit by mortar fire allegedly directed by Russian forces. According to local media, two cars were damaged and one civilian was injured.

In a post published on Facebook, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, mayor of the neighboring town Derhachi, described the event, stating, “Today we continued the evacuation of residents of Ruska Lozova. Entering the village, our evacuation column of vehicles came under enemy mortar fire, one of the volunteers was injured, whose car was mutilated by shell fragments.” Further detail was given to the outlet Suspielne Media by a volunteer involved in the effort, who said, “Five cars drove by, we drove in the second five in the second car. And as soon as we return to the village, two shells fall in front of us, one in the field, and the other in front of us, we drive up, one of our volunteers is standing, wounded hands, neck.”

According to the Ukrainian outlet Vikna, efforts to evacuate civilians from Ruska Lozova, which lies close to the North of Kharkiv along route E105, had been taking place for several days following the withdrawal of Russian forces. In its coverage of the events of May 2, it reported, “Despite continuous shelling, 200 people managed to be taken out, who had been in occupation for two months.” Kharkov Comments subsequently reported that this brought the total number of people evacuated from the community to 1500.

Ukrainian news outlets published photographs showing volunteers and local residents readying themselves for evacuation.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR57036.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Zadorenko
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Members of an evacuation convey which came under fire from alleged Russian shelling in Ruska Lozova on May 2, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ruska Lozova (Руська Лозова), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.139418, 36.279486. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK119

Incident date

April 14, 2022

Location

Борова, Borova, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.37876420643618, 37.63268072165282 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 14th 2022, at least seven and up to ten civilians were killed and between 13 to 30 were injured, including at least one child, when Russian forces shells and gunfire hit evacuation buses in the village of Borova, Izyum district of Kharkiv. Kharkiv Today reported that evacuation from the region began on April 4th after the area became under temporary Russian occupation. Other local sources noted that attacks by Russian forces on evacuation buses were common.

Interfax news reported that four people wounded by the shelling of evacuation buses were in serious condition. Interfax news also reported that on Borovka village council’s Facebook page it stated that “according to our information, there are 7 wounded in Brovaya hospital, 4 of them in serious condition, there is one wounded child. The hospital is in urgent need of medication, including anaesthetics, as well as food and clothing for the injured.” It also reported that due to the destroyed roads and bridges in the area, it is impossible to bring medicine and other vital aid, “as well as the fact that the Russian occupiers prohibit movement between villages in the community.”

Dialog.ua news reported that “the tragedy happened on Thursday April 14th near the village of Borova, near the Russian occupied town of Izyum. The Russian Armed Forces opened fire on buses carrying civilians who were trying to leave the site of the fighting. Judging by the footage made public, the strike was carried out by Russian artillery. Two vans were seriously damaged. Seven people were killed in the attack and 27 others were injured with varying degrees of severity.”

Suspilne Kharkiv reported on Telegram the highest number of dead and injured, stated that “about 10 people were killed as a result of the shelling of civilian buses by the Russian military near the village of Borova in Kharkiv region on April 14, and up to 30 civilians were wounded, Dmytro Chubenko, a spokesman for the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office told Suspilne. The exact number of victims, the circumstances and the route of the buses are being established by law enforcement officers – Borova is under temporary occupation.”

Zdorova Luganschina reported on Faceook that “recently a tragedy took place that claimed lives and cut off the only way we could deliver vital medicines to you. The carrier’s minibuses were shelled near the village of Borova… the buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive.”

Rayon.in.ua reported that “under the procedural control of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation was launched into the violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder… according to the investigation, on April 14 2022, Russian serviceman fired at evacuation buses with civilians in the village of Borova, Izyum distict.”  The pre-trial investigation was being conducted by the SBU Office in Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv Today also reported that since April 4th when evacuations began from Boroyava, “half of the 15,000 residents of Borovaya have left.”

This incident has reference to ACLED code UKR89137.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Strike target
    Healthcare facility, Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–30
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • "In Kharkiv Region, Russian occupants opened fire on buses that were evacuating civilians - many dead and wounded." (Image via Dialog.ua / News)
  • "In Kharkiv Region, Russian occupants opened fire on buses that were evacuating civilians - many dead and wounded." (Image via Dialog.ua / News)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "The buses were carrying parcels with medicines, so some of the medicines you ordered unfortunately did not arrive." (Zdrova Luganschina / Facebook)
  • "As reported by Ukrinform, residents of Borova were urged to evacuate by their own transport or by buses provided by the village council to the trains on April 4. Since then, half or even more of the 15,000 residents have left, and the village council cannot accurately count the number of people who left by their own transport." (Image via Larysa Bodareva / Facebook)
  • "Occupants shelled evacuation buses with civilians - investigation launched" (Image via Kharkiv Regional Persecutor / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Borova (Борова), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.37876420643618, 37.63268072165282. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Strike target
    Healthcare facility, Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–30
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK075

Incident date

March 20, 2022

Location

Харків, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.982893, 36.270036 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the afternoon on March 20 2022, one civilian was reportedly injured by alleged Russian shelling of a green corridor being used by a humanitarian convoy in Kharkiv. According to local sources, small arms and artillery fire damaged a car moving along the humanitarian corridor and injured the driver. On the night of 19 March through to the morning of 21 March 2022, shelling occurred widely across a number of towns in the Kharkiv area.

Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported Russia as the responsible party for the shelling of the humanitarian corridor and wider attacks in the Kharkiv area.

No other information is available at this time.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kharkiv (Харків), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.982893, 36.270036. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]