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UN Reports Nearly 1,000 Civilian Deaths From Russian Attacks in Ukraine Over Six Months
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Between December 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, at least 968 civilians were killed and 4,807 injured in Ukraine due to ongoing Russian military aggression—marking a 37% increase compared to the same period last year, according to a new report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), published on June 30.
The spike in civilian casualties comes as Russia intensifies its attacks and shifts tactics—most notably by ramping up the use of deadly drones. The report states that nearly half of all civilian deaths and injuries were caused by missiles, loitering munitions, and air-dropped bombs in densely populated areas. In at least three incidents, Russia used missiles with high-explosive fragmentation warheads.
Most of the casualties occurred in Ukrainian-controlled areas, where Russian forces have been targeting residential neighborhoods and front-line zones with long-range explosive weapons and short-range drones.
“The war in Ukraine—now in its fourth year—is becoming increasingly deadly for civilians," said Danielle Bell, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. "We continue to document patterns of violence that are inconsistent with obligations under international humanitarian law.”
The UN confirmed that during the reporting period 207 civilians were killed and 1,365 injured by Russian strikes using short-range drones alone.
Russian forces also launched direct strikes on at least five hospitals. In some cases, investigators found numerous unexploded ordnances on site—evidence that suggests deliberate targeting of medical facilities, in violation of international law.
The report also documents serious abuses against Ukrainian POWs. Since December 2024, at least 35 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been executed by Russian forces. UN staff interviewed 117 recently released POWs and two captured medics—nearly all described torture and mistreatment in Russian custody.
Civilian detainees held by Russian authorities, especially in occupied territories, reported similar experiences: abuse, torture, and inhumane conditions. The UN also highlighted growing pressure on civilians in occupied areas to accept Russian citizenship.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine urged the international community to respond decisively to Russia’s ongoing and systematic use of cluster munitions against Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials report that at least 5,974 instances of such weapons use by Russia have been documented since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
