Russian attacks killed 328 civilians and injured over 2,000 in Ukraine in September 2026 – UN
Photo source: Telegram / Oleh Syniehubov
Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities in September and early October resulted in significant casualties among the civilian population, with death and injury tolls substantially exceeding figures from previous years.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported the findings, Rubryka writes.
According to mission data, at least 328 civilians were killed, and 2,105 were injured in Ukraine in September 2026. Total civilian casualties reached 2,433—an 85% increase compared to September 2025, when attacks killed 249 people and injured 1,068.
As reported, civilians suffered deaths or injuries across 22 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.
The highest number of casualties was recorded in the capital city, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy, as well as in Zaporizhzhia.
In Kyiv, civilian casualties occurred as a result of attacks on 22 out of 30 days in September. This represents a higher frequency than in any other month since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
"Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure threaten to exacerbate this suffering even further," HRMMU emphasized.
Civilian casualty numbers remained high in October. On the night of October 7, Russian forces attacked several Ukrainian regions using cruise missiles and drones. In Pryluky, Chernihiv region, 22 civilians were killed, and 45 were injured.
HRMMU experts documented additional strikes resulting in high civilian fatalities. According to a press release from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, these included strikes on:
- Kramatorsk on October 8
- Zaporizhzhia on October 10
- Lutsk on October 14
"The first two weeks of October were among the deadliest for civilians in recent years. In just a few days, attacks by Russian armed forces led to mass casualty incidents in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk, and Kyiv," said Danielle Bell, head of HRMMU.
The rise in casualties in September and October occurred alongside renewed systematic Russian strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. On September 30, a strike damaged power generation, distribution, and transmission facilities across three regions and Kyiv, causing emergency power outages.
Attacks on energy and heating infrastructure continued into October. During strikes on October 13–14, Russian forces targeted numerous energy facilities across Ukraine, including three primary power stations in Kyiv. Consequently, 600,000 capital residents temporarily lost electricity.
"Systematic attacks on energy and heating infrastructure as winter approaches will inevitably inflict significant suffering on the civilian population," Bell stressed.
According to updated HRMMU data, civilian casualties in September 2026 reached the highest level for that month since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Between January and September 2026, 2,570 civilians were killed, and 15,211 were injured in Ukraine. This marks:
- A 59% increase compared to the same period in 2025
- More than double the figure recorded during the first nine months of 2024
Long-range weapons remained the primary cause of civilian deaths and injuries in September:
- Missiles
- Drones
These weapons accounted for 53% of all civilian casualties, causing 165 deaths and 1,119 injuries.
Short-range drone strikes represented the second-largest cause of casualties, killing 87 civilians and injuring 475, which comprised 23% of the monthly total.
Overall, Russian strikes killed more civilians in Ukraine during the first eight months of 2026 than in the entirety of 2025. The UN called for an immediate end to attacks on populated areas.
In addition, 107 countries voted to adopt the UN General Assembly resolution "Supporting Lasting Peace in Ukraine," initiated by Ukraine. The US and China abstained from supporting the resolution, while Russia voted against it.
