Russia has killed and injured over 32,000 civilians since beginning of full-scale war against Ukraine – UN
Russian missiles hit the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv on June 8, 2024. Photo: Rubryka
Since February 2022, the UN has documented over 32,100 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including fatalities and injuries.
Dmytro Lubinets, the Human Rights Commissioner for Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, shared this information via Telegram, citing the findings of a UNHCR-led Protection Cluster report on the war in Ukraine.
The report details the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine, which was defined by:
- deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure,
- forced displacement,
- sexual violence,
- and the significant risk of psychological harm.
In particular:
- more than 6.5 million people left the country as refugees,
- another 3.5 million became internally displaced.
Since February 2022, over 32,100 civilian casualties have been recorded throughout Ukraine, including the dead and wounded.
The UN noted that 92% of civilian deaths occurred as a result of the use of explosive weapons with a wide area of damage and 4% – as a result of the detonation of mines and explosive devices.
Russia's use of long-range missiles means that almost the entire territory of Ukraine is in danger.
За два роки повномасштабного вторгнення росія так і не допустила ООН на місце теракту в Оленівці
"The direct damage to civil infrastructure over the past two years as of February 2024 was up to 138 billion euros. Residential construction was the most affected," Lubinets cited the report's data.
1,742 attacks on medical facilities were confirmed, resulting in 136 deaths and 311 injuries.
There have been documented instances of sexual violence carried out by the Russian military against individuals of all genders, ranging from 3 to 70 years old.
Also, Ukraine is one of the most polluted countries in the world with mines and other explosive devices. This endangers the life and health of about 6.37 million people.
Landmines have particularly affected farmers, 128 of whom have died since February 2022. In addition, mines are dangerous for children.
The Protection Cluster advises that donors and international partners maintain financial backing for child protection initiatives, support organizations fighting against gender-based violence, assist internally displaced persons, and promote mine clearance efforts in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government is strongly advised to focus on:
- Expanding child protection programs;
- Facilitating the reintegration of war veterans;
- Ensuring uninterrupted access to social welfare.
"For our institution, the protection of the rights of persons who suffered as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation is a priority area of work," the Ombudsman of Ukraine noted.
For reference:
According to UN data, at least 146 civilians died in June as a result of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. Another 672 people were injured.
According to reports, during the Security Cooperation Forum, Danylo Kubai, the first secretary of Ukraine's permanent representation to international organizations in Vienna, stated on behalf of the delegation of Ukraine to the OSCE that Russian missiles, drones, and guided bombs have only hit 3% of military targets in Ukraine. Most of these attacks, 97%, have instead been directed at civilian infrastructure.
The intensification of attacks by the Russian military on the territory of Ukraine this spring led to significant casualties among the civilian population and considerable damage to civilian infrastructure. In May, the death toll amounted to at least 436 people, thus becoming the largest for the year.
