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Ukraine
December 2022
Casualties
In December 2022, there were 195 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, 189 of which resulted in 878 civilian casualties, of whom 279 were killed and 599 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 17 children and 23 women. Civilians accounted for 73% of all 1,199 casualties, as there were an additional 321 armed-actor casualties, of whom 153 were killed and 168 injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 90% (794), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 40% (354) occurred across multiple urban areas, 24% (209) in urban residential areas, 16% (138) in villages, 4% (36) in schools, 1% (13) in humanitarian infrastructure, 1% (12) in town centres, 1% (9) in public buildings and other locations, respectively, and <1% in hospitals (3), hotels (3), roads (3), places of worship (2), entertainment venues (2), and commercial premises (1).
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Kherson (272 civilian casualties), Donetsk (234), Luhansk (152), Kharkiv (56), Zaporizhzhia (46), Dnipropetrovsk (44), Kyiv (38), Khmelnytskyi (18), Mykolaiv (10), Odesa (5), Chernihiv (1), Ivano-Frankivsk (1), and Sumy (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 98% (863), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, Russian armed forces reportedly caused 75% (656) of civilian casualties and Ukraine’s armed forces 24% (207). Perpetrators of unknown status and name reportedly caused 1% (9) of civilian casualties, and unknown non-state armed groups caused <1% (6) of civilian casualties.
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 91% (803) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific shelling (541 civilian casualties), combined ground-launched weapon systems (125), missiles (53), artillery shells (49), rockets (33), and mortars (2). Directly-emplaced weapons caused 3% (23) of civilian casualties, specifically landmines (11 civilian casualties), roadside bombs (5), non-specific IEDs (5), and car bombs (2). Air-launched weapons caused 1% (8) of civilian casualties, specifically airstrikes (5 civilian casualties) and missiles (3). 5% (44) of civilian casualties were caused by missiles of unclear launch method.
The highest casualty incident occurred on 31December 2022, when two civilians were killed and 21 injured in a ground-launched missile attack on Kyiv by Russian armed forces.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in December decreased from November, in which 223 incidents were recorded. However, fewer civilian casualties, 722, were recorded in November (171 killed and 551 injured). In October, 233 incidents caused 1,013 civilian casualties (298 killed and 715 injured).
Sources: Kyiv Independent, Ukrinform, Interfax Ukraine
Education
In December 2022, at least six incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of education were recorded in Ukraine. All were reported in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts. Schools, kindergartens, an Institute of Technology and Management, a college and a boarding school, were damaged by ground-launched explosive weapons, such as shelling, mortars and rocket attacks by Russian forces.
In one incident on 13 December 2022 in Kramatorsk city, Donetsk oblast, the city's Institute of Technology and Management was damaged in a missile attack on the area by Russian troops.
Source: Confidentially-shared information
Healthcare
In December 2022, at least 34 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine. About 50% were reported in Kherson oblast. More than 75% of incidents recorded ambulances, health clinics, hospitals and pharmacies in Ukraine being damaged through ground-launched explosives, such as shelling, mortars and rocket attacks by Russian forces. Two hospitals were damaged by Russian air-launched explosives in Kyiv and Zaporizhia oblasts. A health worker was killed and four others injured when the facility they were working in was hit by Russian shells, and a paramedic was injured while providing emergency response health care.
In one incident on 11 December 2022, a hospital's neurosurgery ward was hit when several shells exploded in the city. At least two hospitals were damaged by Russian air-launched explosives in Kyiv and Zaporizhia oblasts.
Source: Confidentially-shared information
Ukraine
November 2022
Casualties
In November 2022, there were 223 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, 217 of which resulted in 722 civilian casualties, of whom 171 were killed and 551 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 12 children and 29 women. There were 665 armed-actor casualties recorded in November, of whom 620 were killed and 45 injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 89% (644), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 356 (48%) occurred in multiple urban areas, and 35% (250) occurred in urban residential areas. Civilian casualties were also recorded in attacks on commercial premises, hospitals, humanitarian infrastructure, markets, schools and villages.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Donetsk (254 civilian casualties), Kherson (217), Kharkiv (75), Dnipropetrovsk (57), Kyiv (52), Zaporizhzhia (38), Mykolaiv (19), Sumy (7), Khmelnytskyi (2) and Odesa (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 97% (699), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, Russian armed forces caused 96% (690) of civilian casualties and Ukraine’s armed forces caused 1% (9). Perpetrators of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the case of 3% (21) of civilian casualties. Non-state armed groups caused <1% of civilian casualties, specifically unknown non-state actors (2).
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 86% (623) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific shelling (542), combined ground-launched explosive weapons (36), missiles (11), rockets (20), artillery shelling (12), and mortars (2). Weapons of unclear launch method were the cause of 8% (56) of civilian casualties. Air-launched weapons, specifically air strikes, caused 2% (15) civilian casualties. Directly-emplaced weapons caused 5% (28) of civilian casualties, specifically landmines (26) and car bombs (2).
The highest casualty incident occurred on 25November 2022, when 15 civilians were killed and 35 injured in Russian shelling on Kherson city. Houses, apartment buildings and schools were also damaged in the shelling.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in November saw a decrease from October, in which 233 incidents caused 1,013 civilian casualties (298 killed and 715 injured). This is a continued decline since September.
Education
In November 2022, eight incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of education were recorded in Ukraine. Incidents include frequent reports that mines were placed at or near schools in Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, Zakarpattia. Schools also continued to be damaged by use of explosive weapons.
In one incident on 07 November 2022, a long-range surface-to-air missile attack by Russian forces partially destroyed a school building in Kherson oblast.
Sources: Cripo, Interfax, ITTA, Kavun, Most, Patriots of Danbos, PU, RBK, Radio Svoboda, Telegram, Ukraine Pravda and Ukrinform
Healthcare
In November 2022, 16 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine.
On 11 November 2022, a paramedic was badly burned after he tried to save a soldier from a burning Ukrainian military helicopter that was shot down by Russian forces’ use of man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADs) in Luka-Meleshkivska village, Vinnytsia oblast.
On 23 November 2022, Russian forces launched a rocket attack with S-300 missiles on the maternity ward of Vilniansk city central district hospital, Zaporizhzhia oblast. A two-day-old newborn was killed. The mother of the newborn child survived, two doctors were injured, one of whom was badly burned.
Sources: Source: Confidentially-shared information
Ukraine
October 2022
Casualties
In October 2022, there were 233 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, 230 of which resulted in 1,013 civilian casualties, of whom 298 were killed and 715 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 21 children and 34 women. Civilians accounted for all but five of the total 1,018 casualties, as there were also five recorded armed-actor casualties, four of whom were killed and one injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 87% (883), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 41% (411) occurred in locations where the blast impacted multiple urban areas, 36% (362) in urban residential areas, 3% (29) in villages, 3% (27) on public transport, 2% (18) in other locations, 2% (16) in markets, 1% (11) in commercial premises, <1% (4) on roads, <1% (2) in town centres and hospitals, respectively, and <1% (1) in entertainment venues.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Donetsk (324 civilian casualties), Zaporizhzhia (289), Kharkiv (108), Dnipropetrovsk (75), Kherson (58), Kyiv (54), Mykolaiv (43), Sumy (33), Chernihiv (9), Chernivtsi (8), Odesa (5), Crimea (4), Zhytomyr (1), Cherkasy (1), Vnnytsia (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 96% (976), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, Russian armed forces caused 93% (938) of civilian casualties, Ukraine’s armed forces caused 4% (37), and unknown state actors caused <1% (1). Groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of 2% (24) of civilian casualties. Non-state armed groups caused 1% of civilian casualties, specifically unknown non-state actors (8) and Ukrainian resistance forces (5).
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 74% (750) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific shelling (582), combined ground-launched explosive weapons (69), missiles (65), rockets (29), artillery shelling (3), and mortars (2). Combined explosive weapons caused 10% (103) of civilian casualties. Weapons of unclear launch method were the cause of 9% (94) of civilian casualties. Directly-emplaced weapons caused 5% (49) of civilian casualties, specifically landmines (29), car bombs (9), anti-vehicle mines (6), roadside bombs (4), and anti-personnel mines (1).
The highest casualty incident occurred on 09 October 2022, when 14 civilians were killed, including one child, and 89 injured, including 11 children, in a Russian ground-launched and air-launched missile strike on residential areas in Zaporizhzhia city.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in October saw a small decrease from September, in which 251 incidents caused 1,140 civilian casualties (310 killed and 830 injured). In August, 171 incidents were recorded, which caused 758 civilian casualties (205 killed and 553 injured).
Sources: Ukrinform, Ukrinform II, Interfax Ukraine
Education
There was one incident of explosive weapon use affecting access to education in Ukraine recorded in October.
On 26 October 2022, in Donetsk oblast, a technical school, along with residential buildings, a coke-chemical plant, farm buildings, and a garage were damaged in Russian shelling.
Healthcare
There were ten incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare recorded in Ukraine in October. Hospitals and pharmacies were damaged, a doctor and an ambulance driver killed were killed, and a volunteer paramedic was injured by aerial bombing, missiles, rockets and shelling. On 10 October 2022, a cancer doctor was killed by Russian missiles on her way to work in Kyiv.
Explosive weapons use impacting healthcare increased during October in Sagaing region, Myanmar where there was heavy fighting between the military and local defense groups.
Source: Confidentially-shared information
Ukraine
September 2022
Casualties
In September 2022, there were 251 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, 243 of which resulted in 1,140 civilian casualties, of whom 310 were killed and 830 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 37 children and 34 women. Civilians accounted for 99% of the total 1,155 casualties, as there were also 15 recorded armed-actor casualties, nine of whom were killed and six injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 92% (1,050), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 33% (375) occurred in urban residential areas, 32% (360) in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 15% (174) on roads, 4% (47) in villages, 1% (15) on public transport, 1% (14) in hospitals, 1% (13) in humanitarian infrastructure, 1% (12) markets, and <1% in town centres, transport-related infrastructure, hotels, schools, and public buildings.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Donetsk (493 civilian casualties), Kharkiv (227), Zaporizhzhia (210), Dnipropetrovsk (120), Mykolaiv (56), Kherson (15), Sumy (13), Luhansk (5), and Odesa (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 98% (1,119), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, Russian armed forces caused 76% (865) of civilian casualties, unknown state actors caused 15% (168), and Ukraine’s armed forces caused 8% (86). Groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of 1% (17) of civilian casualties. Non-state armed groups caused <1% of civilian casualties, specifically Ukrainian resistance forces (4).
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 90% (1,022) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific shelling (699), ground-launched missiles (206), ground-launched rockets (71), artillery shelling (28), combined ground-launched weapons (16), and tank shelling (2). Weapons of unclear launch method caused 6% (63) of civilian casualties, specifically missiles (60) and rockets (3). Directly-emplaced weapons caused 3% (31) of civilian casualties, specifically landmines (25) and non-specific IEDs (6). Air-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 1% (14) of civilian casualties, specifically air strikes (9) and air-launched missiles (5). Combined explosive weapons caused <1% (10) of civilian casualties.
The highest casualty incident occurred on 30 September 2022, when at least 30 civilians were killed, including two children, and 118 civilians injured in a Russian ground-launched missile strike on a humanitarian convoy near Zaporizhzhia. The convoy was heading from southern Zaporizhzhia into Russian-occupied Kherson to pick up relatives and deliver aid.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in September saw a significant rise from August, in which 171 incidents caused 758 civilian casualties (205 killed and 553 injured). In July, 169 incidents were recorded, which caused 1,265 civilian casualties (358 killed and 907 injured).
Sources: Ukrinform, Yahoo News, the Guardian UK
Education
In September 2022, 20 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of education were recorded in Ukraine. Incidents were reported in nine of Ukraine’s 29 oblasts, including Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Slovyansk, Sumy and Zaporizhia.
In one incident in Dnipropetrovsk oblast on 05 September 2022, a kindergarten and other public buildings were damaged in shelling by Russian forces.
Source: Tour Dnepr
Healthcare
In September 2022, 22 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine. All were attributed to Russian forces that fired missiles, mortar shells, and rockets, which damaged hospitals, including two psychiatric hospitals, a maternity hospital, and a pharmacy.
In one incident on 17 September 2022, four health workers were killed while evacuating a psychiatric hospital in Kharkiv Oblast when Russian forces began shelling the facility. Two patients were also injured in the attack.
Source: Confidentially-shared information
Ukraine
August 2022
Casualties
In August 2022, there were 171 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, 164 of which resulted in 758 civilian casualties, of whom 205 were killed and 553 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 35 children and 62 women. Civilians accounted for 73% of the total 1,032 casualties, as there were also 274 recorded armed-actor casualties, 272 of whom were killed and two injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 96% (731), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 41% (308) occurred in urban residential areas, 37% (278) across multiple urban locations, 9% (68) in transport-related infrastructure, 4% (30) in town centres, 3% (23) in villages, 1% (8) on roads, and <1% in public buildings, commercial premises, hotels, and schools respectively.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Donetsk (315 civilian casualties), Dnipropetrovsk (150), Kharkiv (142), Mykolaiv (80), Zaporizhzhia (38), Kherson (15), Odesa (7), Sumy (6), Khmelnytskyi (3), and Cherkasy (2).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 99% (748), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, Russian armed forces caused 90% (683) of civilian casualties, Ukrainian armed forces caused 7% (53), and unknown state actors caused 2% (12). Non-state armed groups caused <1% of civilian casualties, specifically Ukrainian resistance forces (2). Groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of 1% (8) of civilian casualties.
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 83% (626) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific shelling (388), rockets (111), missiles (69), artillery (46), a combination of ground-launched explosive weapons (8), and mortars (4). Directly-emplaced weapons were the cause of 2% (12) of civilian casualties, in particular landmines (7), anti-personnel mines (3), and non-specific IEDs (2). Air-launched weapons were the cause of <1% (6) of civilian casualties, specifically missiles (4) and rockets (2). Weapons of unclear launch method were the cause of 15% (114) of civilian casualties, specifically missiles (106), and rockets (8).
The highest casualty incident occurred on 24 August 2022, when 25 civilians, including two boys, were killed and 31 injured in a Russian missile strike on Chaplyne railway station. Four railway cars caught on fire, and the station was destroyed.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in August saw a small rise from July, in which 169 incidents were recorded. However, in July, 1,265 civilian casualties were recorded (358 killed and 907 injured). In June, 165 incidents were recorded, which caused 888 civilian casualties (238 killed and 650 injured).
Sources: BBC, Ukrinform, Ukrinform II
Education
Two incidents affecting access to education were recorded in Ukraine in August 2022.
On 10 August 2022, a school, high-rise buildings, a cultural palace, and a city council building were damaged by Russian airstrikes in Dnipropetrovsk oblast. On 31 August 2022, a female teacher was injured during shelling by Russian forces in Dnipropetrovsk oblast.
Source: The New Arab, Dnepr Info, Facebook
Healthcare
Six incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine in August 2022. Aerial bombing, missiles and mortar shelling damaged hosptials including a maternity ward, cut power to health facilities and killed a Palestinian doctor inside his apartment.
Source: Confidentially-shared information
Ukraine
July 2022
Casualties
In July 2022, there were 169 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, 161 of which resulted in 1,265 civilian casualties, of whom 358 were killed and 907 injured, including at least 30 children and 15 women. Civilians accounted for 93% of the total 1,363 casualties, as there were also 98 recorded armed-actor casualties, 57 of whom were killed and 41 injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 98% (1,245), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 46% (579) occurred in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 33% (414) in urban residential areas, 10% (131) in other locations, 3% (33) in transport-related infrastructure, 2% (25) in villages, 2% (25) in schools, 2% (20) in commercial premises. The remaining 2% (20) of civilian casualties occurred in armed bases (6), other unpopulated areas (4), where no location information was reported (5), agricultural land (3), and roads (2).
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Donetsk (572 civilian casualties), Kharkiv (142), Vinnytsia (140), Mykolaiv (121), Kherson (89), Odesa (58), Dnipropetrovsk (58), Sumy (23), Kirovohrad (18), Kyiv (15), Zaporizhzhia (14), Volyn (6), Sevastopol (6), Luhansk (2), and Khmelnytskyi (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 99% (1,248), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, Russian armed forces caused 78% (982) of civilian casualties, Ukrainian armed forces caused 11% (133), and unknown state actors caused 11% (133). Non-state armed groups caused <1% of civilian casualties, specifically Ukrainian resistance forces (1), and unknown non-state actors (6). Groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of <1% (10) of civilian casualties.
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 71% (894) of civilian casualties, specifically shelling (543), rockets (234), missiles (76), artillery (26), a combination of ground-launched explosive weapons (14), and mortars (1). Air-launched weapons were the cause of 5% (69) of civilian casualties, specifically missiles. Directly-emplaced weapons were the cause of 2% (19) of civilian casualties, in particular landmines (11), non-specific IEDs (7), and car bombs (1). Weapons of unclear launch method were the cause of 22% (278) of civilian casualties, specifically missiles (208), and rockets (70).Combinations of explosive weapons were the cause of <1% (5) of civilian casualties.
The highest casualty incident occurred on 14 July 2022, when at least 25 civilians, including three children, were killed and 115 injured in a Russian missile strike on an office building in Vinnytsia.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in July saw an increase from June, in which 165 incidents were recorded along with 888 civilian casualties (238 killed and 650 injured). In May, 180 incidents were recorded, which caused 1,049 civilian casualties (411 killed and 638 injured).
Sources: Ukrinform, New York Times, ABC
Healthcare
In July 2022, 14 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine. Hospitals and pharmacies were damaged by ground-launched artillery shells and rockets fired by Russian forces. Most incidents were reported in eastern Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts.
Incidents were also reported in Lviv, Mykolaiv and Vinnytsia oblasts. In Vinnytsia oblast, Russian rockets landed and exploded in a parking lot, destroying the Neuromed Medical Clinic and the City Council building on 14 July 2022. Two female health workers were killed and at least four others were injured, including two doctors, a female neurologist and a male paediatric neurologist, who suffered burns to 70% of their bodies.
Sources: Media Vektor, Ukrinform, Obozrevatel and Press Point
Ukraine
June 2022
Casualties
In June 2022, there were 165 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, which resulted in 888 civilian casualties, of whom 238 were killed and 650 injured, including at least 36 children and 32 women. Civilians accounted for 88% of the total 1,010 casualties, as there were also 122 recorded armed-actor casualties, 104 of whom were killed and 18 injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 98% (869), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 40% (359) occurred in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 31% (275) in urban residential areas, 12% (110) in commercial premises, 5% (40) in humanitarian infrastructure, 3% (30) in villages, 2% (21) in entertainment venues, 2% (18) in other locations, and <1% in markets, public transport, schools, agricultural lands, and town centres respectively. The remaining 2% (19) of civilian casualties occurred in unpopulated roads (12), other unpopulated areas (4), agricultural land (2), and where no location information was reported (1).
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Kharkiv (241 civilian casualties), Donetsk (172), Mykolaiv (99), Poltava (81), Luhansk (71), Sumy (54), Odesa (50), Dnipropetrovsk (41), Ternopil (23), Kherson (19), Rivne (13), Lviv (9), Kyiv (8), Cherkasy (6), and Zaporizhzhia (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 97% (865), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, Russian armed forces caused 88% (785) of civilian casualties, and Ukrainian armed forces 9% (79). Unknown state actors caused one civilian casualty. Ukrainian resistance forces caused <1% of civilian casualties, and groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of 2% (18) of civilian casualties.
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 58% (512) of civilian casualties, specifically shelling (388), artillery shells (58), rockets (54), mortars (6), a combination of explosive weapons (5), and missiles (1). Air-launched weapons were the cause of 20% (174) of civilian casualties, specifically missiles (134) and air strikes (40). Directly-emplaced weapons were the cause of 4% (32) of civilian casualties, in particular mines (20) and non-specific IEDs (12). Combinations of explosive weapons were the cause of 3% (29) of civilian casualties, and weapons of unclear launch method were the cause of 13% (116).
The highest casualty incident occurred on 27 June 2022, when at least 19 civilians were killed and 62 injured in a Russian air-launched Kh-22 missile strike on a shopping centre in Kremenchuk. Another 36 people were reported missing.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in June saw a decrease from May, in which 180 incidents were recorded along with 1,049 civilian casualties (411 killed and 638 injured). In April, 108 incidents were recorded, which caused 973 civilian casualties (270 killed and 703 injured).
Sources: Interfax Ukraine, Ukrinform
Aid access
In June 2022, two incidents of explosive weapon use affecting aid access were recorded in Ukraine.
As reported on 15 June 2022, a Russian missile struck a train carrying food belonging to the World Central Kitchen in eastern Ukraine, destroying one wagon and the food inside, and on 19 June 2022, a Russian missile strike destroyed a school housing a humanitarian aid centre in Lubotyn city, Kharkiv oblast.
Sources: Twitter, Flash
Education
In June 2022, 14 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of education were recorded in Ukraine. Kindergartens and schools in Donetsk, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa oblasts were damaged by Russian fired artillery shells, missiles and rockets.
In one incident on 25 June 2022, two Russian helicopters fired six missiles at a school, a library, a hospital, and a cultural centre in Krasnopillia settlement, Sumy oblast, causing damage.
Healthcare
In June 2022, 16 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine. Ambulances and health facilities, including a children’s hospital, outpatient clinic, and physiotherapy centre, were damaged or destroyed by ground-launched artillery shells, rockets, missiles and aerial bombing.
Most incidents were reported in eastern Ukraine and were most frequent in Kharviv where hospitals were damaged on four occasions, and an ambulance driver was killed and a paramedic injured by Russian-fired artillery shells, missiles and rockets.
In one incident on 03 June 2022, a Soviet-made rocket hit the therapeutic department of a local hospital in Zolochiv settlement, Kharkiv region.
Source: Suspilne
Ukraine
May 2022
Casualties
In May 2022, there were 180 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, which resulted in 1,049 civilian casualties, of whom 411 were killed and 638 injured. There were at least 33 children and 33 women among the civilian casualties. Civilians accounted for 95% of the total 1,102 casualties, as there were also 53 recorded armed-actor casualties, 11 of whom were killed and 42 injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 98% (1023), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 48% (503) occurred in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 20% (206) in urban residential areas, 12% (122) in villages, 9% (94) in schools, 2% (25) on commercial premises, 1% (14) in humanitarian infrastructure, and 1% (13) in places of worship.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Donetsk (333 civilian casualties), Luhansk (222), Kharkiv (144), Mykolaiv (133), Chernihiv (123), Zaporizhzhia (32), Kherson (15), Odessa (14), Dnipropetrovsk (9), Zhytomyr (8), Sumy (7), Rivne (6), Kyiv (2), Lviv (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 99% (1040), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons, specifically Russian armed forces. Groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of >1% (5) of civilian casualties, and unknown non-state actors caused <1% (4) of civilian casualties.
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 60% (630) of civilian casualties, specifically shelling (567), artillery shells (35), combined explosive weapons (14), rockets (9), and missiles (5). Air-launched weapons were the cause of 27% (284) of civilian casualties, specifically air strikes (201), missiles (73), and rockets (10). Combined explosive weapons were the cause of 8% (85) of civilian casualties. Directly emplaced weapons were the cause of >1% (10), specifically landmines (5), car bombs (3), anti-vehicle mines (1), and non-specific IEDs (1).
The highest casualty incident occurred on 17 May 2022, when at least 87 civilians were killed and 12 injured in Russian shelling of Chernihiv. The bodies of 87 fatalities were discovered after the rubble was cleared in the aftermath of a morning missile strike on the village of Desna.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in May saw an increase from April, in which 106 incidents were recorded along with 973 civilian casualties (270 killed and 703 injured). In March, 116 incidents were recorded, which caused 1592 civilian casualties (1144 killed and 448 injured).
Sources: Interfax Ukraine, Ukrinform
Education
In May 2022, there were three incidents of explosive weapon use affecting access to education in Ukraine.
On 07 May 2022, a Russian aircraft dropped a bomb on a school in Sievierodonetsk raion, Luhansk oblast in Ukraine, where 90 civilians where sheltering. The school was destroyed. Over 60 people were feared dead as emergency crews rescued 30 from under the rubble. Seven more were found injured. A threat of new strikes also prevented rescuers from continuing work.
On 20 May 2022, artillery strikes by Russian forces hit a secondary school in Sievierodonetsk city and raion, Luhansk oblast, and on 25 May 2022, shelling from Ukrainian forces hit a boarding school and a kindergarten in Donetsk oblast.
Sources: AP, GCR2P, Malta Today, New Age, The New Arab, 24 News I, 24 News II, DAN, Ukrinform
Healthcare
In May 2022, 21 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine. Hospitals and pharmacies were damaged by ground-launched Russian shelling and, in one incident, aerial bombing. These attacks impede patients' ability to access hospital treatment as well as their ability to obtain critical drugs and medicine which can have devastating consequences for people with long-term illnesses. Healthcare services in Luhansk oblast were frequently impacted by shelling. For example, the Sievierodonetsk Multidisciplinary Hospital in Luhansk oblast was shelled three times over three consecutive days.
Sources: 24 Channel I, 24 Channel II, Interfax, Telegram, Ukrinform I, Ukrinform I, and UNIAN I and UNIAN II
Ukraine
April 2022
Casualties
In April 2022, there were 107 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, which resulted in 973 civilian casualties, of whom 270 were killed and 703 injured. There were at least 24 children and nine women among the civilian casualties. Civilians accounted for 90% of the total 1,076 casualties, as there were also 103 recorded armed-actor casualties, 100 of whom were killed and three injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 98% (958), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 46% (444) of recorded civilian casualties occurred in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 26% (251) in urban residential areas, 14% (132) in transport-related infrastructure, 11% (107) in villages, 2% (17) in humanitarian infrastructure, >1% (3) in hospitals, >1% (2) on roads, >1% (2) in commercial premises, and >1% (2) in agricultural lands. The remaining 1% (13) of civilian casualties occurred in other or unknown locations.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Kharkiv (336 civilian casualties), Donetsk (255), Mykolaiv (195), Luhansk (49), Kyiv (31), Odessa (24), Vinnytsia (23), Lviv (18), Zaporizhzhia (15), Dnipropetrovsk (10), Poltava (10), and Kherson (7).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 99% (968), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons, specifically Russian armed forces. Groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of >1% (5) civilian casualties.
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 95% (925) of civilian casualties, specifically shelling (654), rockets (150), missiles (102), artillery shells (19). Air-launched weapons, specificall air strikes, were the cause of 2% (15) of civilian casualties. Combined explosive weapons were the cause of >1% (6) of civilian casualties. Directly emplaced weapons, specifically landmines, were the cause of >1% (6).
The highest casualty incident occurred on 08 April 2022, when at least 39 civilians were killed and 87 injured in a Russian rocket strike on a train station being used for evacuations, in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.
The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in April saw a decrease from March, in which 116 incidents were recorded and 1, 292 civilian casualties (844 killed and 448 injured).
Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera
Aid access
In April 2022, two incidents of explosive weapon use affecting aid access were recorded in Ukraine.
On 16 April 2022, a Russian missile destroyed a World Central Kitchen partner restaurant in Kharkiv city that provides food for people facing hunger, wounding four staff members, and causing substantial damage. One person was killed outside.
On 30 April 2022, the office of the Ukrainian Red Cross in Dobropillia city, Donetsk oblast, was bombed, alongside five residential buildings.
Sources: Today, Ukrainian Red Cross
Healthcare
In April 2022, 20 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine. Hospitals, including specialist units such as an oncology hospital, surgical hospital, a Centre for Disease Prevention, and a maternity unit, were damaged and in some cases destroyed, and at least three health workers were injured.
In one incident on 19 April 2022, a Russian fired rocket hit a multidisciplinary hospital, destroying the dialysis department and operating room, depriving hundreds of patients of life-saving medical treatment.
Source: Twitter
Ukraine
March 2022
Casualties
In March 2022, there were 116 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, resulting in 1,292 civilian casualties, of whom 844 were killed and 448 injured. There were at least 65 children among the civilian casualties. Civilians accounted for 80% of the total 1,619 casualties, as there were also 327 recorded armed-actor casualties, 161 of whom were killed and 166 injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 96% (1,242), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 29% (377) of recorded civilian casualties occurred in urban residential areas, 23% (300) in entertainment venues, 11% (146) in villages, 9% (110) in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 6% (79) in schools, 6% (78) in public buildings, 6% (76) in hospitals, 3% (33) in commercial premises, >1% (9) in armed bases, >1% (7) on roads, >1% (7) in humanitarian infrastructure, >1% (6) in town centres, >1% (6) in transport related infrastructure, >1% (3) in hotels, >1% (2) on agricultural land, and >1% (1) in a market. The remaining 4% (52) of civilian casualties occurred in other or unknown locations.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine were Donetsk (439 civilian casualties), Kharkiv (173), Kyiv (152), Chernihiv (139), Mykolaiv (115), Luhansk (106), Sumy (49), Zhytomyr (38), Zaporizhzhia (30), Rivne (29), Dnipropetrovsk (10), Vinnytsia (6), Lviv (5), and Odessa (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 99% (1,285), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Russian armed forces were the reported perpetrator in the case of 96% (1,241) of civilian casualties. Unknown state forces were the reported perpetrator in the case of 3% (44) of civilian casualties. Groups of unknown status and name were the perpetrator in the cases of >1% (7) civilian casualties.
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 49% (630) of civilian casualties, specifically shelling (310), missiles (181), rockets (56), tank shells (56), artillery shells (15), mortars (10), and grenades (2). Air strikes were the cause of 46% (599) of civilian casualties. The combined use of multiple types of explosive weapons (airstrikes and shelling) were the cause of 5% (60) of civilian casualties, and landmines were the cause of >1% (3).
The highest casualty incident occurred on 16 March 2022, when as many as 300 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike on a theater in Mariupol, Donetsk, where over a thousand civilians were sheltering from the violence of the conflict.
Sources: Guardian, Reuters, Independent
Aid access
In March 2022, six incidents of explosive weapon use affecting aid access were recorded in Ukraine.
Such incidents included one in which a female volunteer was killed during shelling by Russian forces in Chernihiv oblast while delivering humanitarian aid. In another, a railway station where thousands of Mariupol internally displaced persons were taking shelter was hit by rockets fired by Russian forces. Additionally, a Red Cross office and a warehouse were damaged in airstrikes and shelling.
Source: ICRC, The New Arab and Twitter
Education
In March 2022, 12 incidents of explosive weapon use causing damage or destruction to schools and kindergartens were recorded in Ukraine in March 2022.
During one incident, on 19 March 2022, Russian forces bombed the School Of Arts Nr. 12 in Mariupol city where some 400 IDPs were sheltering.
Sources: New Age, The New Arab, The Kyiv Independent and Telegram
Healthcare
In March 2022, 45 incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine since the military invasion by Russia began in March 2022. Hospitals, clinics, ambulances were damaged and in some cases destroyed, and health workers were killed and injured.
In one particularly harmful attack on 09 March 2022, a Russian direct airstrike severely damaged Mariupol Children’s Hospital, injuring at least 17 health workers and an unspecified number of patients, including women in labour and children, some of whom were found buried under the wreckage.
Sources: New Age I, New Age II, The New Arab I, The New Arab II and The New Arab III
Ukraine
February 2022
Casualties
In February 2022, there were 32 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, resulting in 146 civilian casualties, of whom 73 were killed and 74 injured. Civilians accounted for 67% of the total 219 casualties, as there were also 72 recorded armed-actor casualties, 26 of whom were killed and 46 injured.
The majority of civilian casualties, 93% (137), occurred in populated areas, compared to 7% (10) in unpopulated areas. Specifically, 46% (67) of recorded civilian casualties occurred in urban residential areas, 13% (19) in hospitals, 13% (19) in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 11% (16) in villages, 10% (15) in schools, and 5% (7) in armed bases. The remaining casualties occurred in other or unknown locations.
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported were Kyiv (48 civilian casualties), Donetsk (47), Kharkiv (18), Sumy (11), Odessa (9), Donbas (7), Kherson (3), Luhansk (3), and Cherkasy (1).
The vast majority of civilian casualties, 97% (143), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Russian armed forces were the reported perpetrator in the case of 93% (132) of civilian casualties. Ukrainian armed forces were the reported perpetrator in 8% (11) of civilian casualties. Non-state actors were the reported perpetrator in the case of four civilian casualties, specifically Ukrainian separatists (2), and Russian-backed forces (2).
The use of ground-launched explosive weapons were the cause of 75% (109) of civilian casualties, specifically shelling (87), missiles (15), rockets (3) and naval-launched weapons (2). Air strikes were the cause of 27% (40) of civilian casualties.
The highest casualty incident occurred on 26 February 2022, when ten civilians were killed and six wounded, including a child, in a Russian airstrike on a village in Mariupol, Donetsk.
Civilian casualties from explosive weapon use in Ukraine saw a drastic increase as a result of the military invasion of Russian armed forces into Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, Daily Mail
Education
In February 2022, six incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of education were recorded in Ukraine since the military invasion by Russia began on 24 February 2022. In these incidents, schools, colleges, and kindergartens were damaged and a teacher killed in ground-launched missile strikes and shelling by Russian forces.
As reported on 24 February 2022, a missile strike on a residential area in Chuhuiv city, Kharkiv oblast, wounded 20 people, including a 52-year-old female teacher who received facial injuries after being struck by shards of glass in the blast.
Source: New Age
On 25 February 2022, two teachers were killed in an artillery strike on School Number 50 in Gorlovka town, Donetsk oblast. The school’s windows were broken and walls partially collapsed as a result of the shelling.
Source: Save the Children
On 25 February 2022, School Number 48 in Mariupol town, Donetsk oblast, was damaged by a missile fired by suspected Russian forces.
Source: Amnesty International
On 26 February 2022, a kindergarten in Chernihiv town, Chernihiv oblast, was hit by an explosive weapon, most likely an artillery shell, which started a fire on the second floor of the school.
Sources: Amnesty International and The Guardian
On 26 February 2022, a technical college in Vasylkiv city, Kyiv oblast, was reportedly struck by a missile causing three floors of the education facility to collapse and other damage. A military college located across the street from the education facility may have been the target of the strike.
Sources: BuzzFeed and The Guardian
On 28 February 2022, artillery shells reportedly hit a school in Osypenko village, Zaporizhia oblast, setting it on fire. No injuries were reported.
Source: O61
Healthcare
In February 2022, five incidents of explosive weapon use affecting the provision of healthcare were recorded in Ukraine since the military invasion by Russia began on 24 February 2022. In these incidents, a blood bank, maternity hospital and oncology centre were damaged and six doctors injured in ground-launched shelling by Russian forces.
On 24 February 2022, an alleged Russian ballistic missile carrying a cluster munition struck just outside a hospital in Vuhledar town, Donetsk oblast, damaging the hospital and an ambulance. Six doctors were injured and four civilians killed.
Sources: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and NBC News
On 25 February 2022, the Kharkiv Regional Blood Service Centre in Kharkiv city and oblast, was hit by shelling, Three blood donors were wounded, and one died. After the shelling, staff moved all the equipment into the basement which serves as the centre’s main unit and bomb shelter. Some blood donors had to spend the night inside to shelter from the shelling.
Sources: Brussel Standard and Euronews
On 25 February 2022, Russian forces reportedly damaged an oncology centre in Melitopol city, Zaporizhzhia oblast. It is suspected that the damage was caused by shelling.
Source: The Mirror
On 27 February 2022, a hospital in Volnovakha city, Donetsk oblast, was struck and damaged by shelling from Russian forces.
Sources: Twitter and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
On 28 February 2022, a private maternity hospital in Buzova village, Kyiv oblast, was reportedly hit by shelling fired by Russian forces, causing significant damage to the hospital. Everyone was evacuated from the hospital and no injuries were reported.
Sources: CNN, NBC News and Ukrainska Pravda
Ukraine
January 2022
Casualties
In December 2021, there were no recorded civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Ukraine. There were six recorded casualty-causing incidents, which caused a total of 10 armed-actor casualties. The highest casualty incident took place on 21 December 2021, when three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded by Russian-occupation forces shelling in Donbas.
Sources: Interfax Ukraine
Ukraine
January 2022
Casualties
In January 2022, there were no recorded civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Ukraine. There were eight recorded incidents of explosive weapon use that caused a total of 10 armed-actor casualties. Armed-actor casualties were recorded in Donbas (5), Donetsk (1), Luhansk (1) and an unknown area on the border with Russia (1). The highest casualty incident took place on 10 January 2022, when two soldiers were killed by a landmine explosion in Donbas.
Sources: Ukrinform, Interfax Ukraine
Ukraine
November 2021
Casualties
In November 2021, there were nine incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Ukraine, resulting in one civilian casualty and 15 armed-actor casualties. All casualties were the result of ground-launched weapons, specifically mortars, artillery shelling, and grenades.
The civilian casualty occurred on 29 November 2021, when artillery shelling by Ukrainian separatists hit an urban residential area in Luhansk.
Sources: Interfax Ukraine
Ukraine
October 2021
Casualties
In October 2021, there were no recorded civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Ukraine. Across nine incidents, there were 12 armed-actor casualties of explosive weapons use, two fatalities and 10 injuries, located in Donbas, Donetsk, and Luhansk. All armed-actor casualties were caused by shelling. There were 10 casualties caused by non-state actors (Ukrainian separatists) and three caused by state actors (Russia).
Sources: Ukrinform, Interfax Ukraine
Ukraine
September 2021
Casualties
In September 2021, there were 10 incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine, three of which caused civilian casualties. Across the three incidents, two civilians were killed and three injured. There were an additional 27 armed-actor casualties in Ukraine in September. All three of the civilian injuries occurred during shelling on villages or urban residential areas in Donbas and Luhansk by both Ukrainian and Russian forces. The two civilian fatalities occured in an incident on 15 September, when a healthcare worker and government official, one man and one woman, were killed by a car bomb in Dnipropetrovsk in a suspected act of terrorism.
Ukraine
August 2021
There were 12 incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in August 2021, causing seven civilian casualties and 25 armed actor casualties. Of the civilian casualties, six were killed and one was injured. This is a notable increase from July 2021, in which one civilian was wounded. The worst incident for civilian casualties in August took place on the 13th, when three civilians were killed, along with four armed actors, when intoxicated DPR soldiers got into a fight in an entertainment venue and detonated a grenade. Firearms were also used. Source: Interfax Ukraine
Ukraine
July 2021
Ukraine
June 2021
In June 2021, in Ukraine there were five civilian casualties from explosive weapon use and six armed-actor casualties, across seven incidents. All armed-actor casualties were the result of shelling by Ukrainian separatists in the Donbas region. All civilian casualties were the result of one incident in Sloboda, Kharkiv, involving the detonation of a grenade. Two teenagers were among the injured. Source: Unian, Kyiv Post.
Healthcare
In June 2021, In Lazove village, Donetsk oblast, a grenade launcher hit an ambulance as it was evacuating the wounded amid clashes between Ukrainian troops and separatist fighters. Source: New Age.
Ukraine
May 2021
In Ukraine there were 11 casualties from explosive weapon use in May 2021, across six incidents. Eight were armed-actors, three were civilians, including one child. All recorded incidents took place in the Donbas region and most involved ground-launched weapons, specifically shelling. In one incident on 3 May, a 5-year old boy was killed and his grandmother injured by a drone-dropped bomb, allegedly controlled by Ukrainian government forces, in Oleksandrivske, Donbas region. Source: Al Jazeera, DPA International
Healthcare
On 5 May 2021, near Donetsk city and oblast, four shell strikes of unidentified origin hit the buildings of a treated water storage and a pumping facility. Source: UNICEF