Ukraine’s Civilian Casualties Rise Amidst Russian Attacks: A Third More Than in 2024

In a sobering report, the United Nations Monitoring Mission on Human Rights in Ukraine has highlighted a distressing trend: from January to September of this year, civilian casualties due to attacks by Russia have surged by nearly one-third compared to 2024. The data underscores a grim reality where violence continues unabated, with no signs of diminishing as experts note.

The UN’s findings reveal that since the onset of the full-scale invasion, at least 14,383 civilians, including 738 children, have been killed in Ukraine. Additionally, over 37,541 individuals have sustained injuries, among them more than 2,318 children. The month of September alone saw the deaths of at least 214 civilians and nearly 1,000 others wounded across Ukraine.

A significant portion of these casualties occurred near frontline areas, particularly in the Donetsk and Kherson regions on the eastern front. A specific incident cited was a Russian aerial strike with an air-launched bomb on the settlement of Yarova in Donetsk Oblast on September 9, which resulted in the deaths of 25 civilians and injuries to at least 19 others.

Daniel Belling, head of the mission, emphasized that “The high level of civilian casualties last month confirms a troubling trend this year regarding the increase in violence in Ukraine. It is almost impossible to find a day without the death or injury of civilians, especially in communities near the frontlines.”

In addition to air raids, Russian forces frequently employ various weapons, including drones, missiles, and guided bombs, targeting Ukrainian regions. Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, kindergartens, energy facilities, and water supply systems.

Conversely, Ukraine’s government and international organizations have labeled these attacks as war crimes by the Russian Federation, insisting they are deliberate. This situation underscores a persistent conflict with profound humanitarian implications, spotlighting the ongoing struggle to protect civilians amidst escalating hostilities.

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