“Our findings establish several worrying trends: rising civilian casualties in both frontline and urban areas, sustained attacks on energy infrastructure, and continued patterns of systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees,” said Danielle Bell, head of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU),

Russia launched its so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and the report covers the period from 1 June to 30 November 2025.

Surge in civilian casualties

It reveals that civilian casualties surged in both frontline and urban areas, with July marking the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries since April 2022. 

A total of 1,420 civilians were killed and 6,545 injured during the reporting period – a 12 per cent increase over the same period a year earlier and a nearly 40 per cent increase over the prior six months. 

Casualties included 61 medical workers, 99 emergency service personnel, six media professionals, and 13 humanitarian workers.

Western Ukraine also experienced its deadliest attack since the invasion began, when a large-scale combined drone–missile strike killed at least 36 civilians in Ternopil on 19 November.

Deteriorating conditions on the frontlines

Frontline regions have experienced a severe deterioration in living conditions, as short-range drones, aerial bombs, and other munitions caused extensive damage to residential buildings and other vital civilian infrastructure.  Some areas were left uninhabitable, forcing residents to seek shelter elsewhere.

Additionally, many hospitals and clinics in frontline towns were destroyed or forced to close, leaving residents without access to basic healthcare.

This was compounded by disruption of water, heating, and electricity, which particularly impacted older people and persons with disabilities.

Energy grid attacked

During October and November, Russia launched eight large-scale, coordinated waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy system, which caused emergency power outages and daily electricity cuts in multiple regions. 

Scheduled power cuts lasted up to 18 hours per day, with interruptions in water services and heating for many hours or days in some areas.

Record prisoner exchange

Ukraine and Russia also carried out the largest exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) since 2022, with the sides releasing more than 3,000 people.  However, HRMMU observed no improvements in the treatment of those interned.

“Systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of POWs is one of the most shocking and pervasive features of this war,” Ms. Bell remarked.

A Ukrainian POW spoke about how he was treated in a pre-trial detention facility in Russia.

“During my whole time in the facility, we were beaten almost every day. The guards beat us almost every time we were leaving the cell for an inspection or to go to the medical unit or shower,” he told investigators.

“Several times I was beaten so badly that my body hurt for weeks.” 

Limited care, extrajudicial executions

Russia recently freed 187 Ukrainian POWs and “185 provided accounts of severe beatings, stress positions, electric shocks, suffocation, dog attacks and, in many cases, sexual violence,” Ms. Bell said.

“Interviewees also described harsh conditions of detention, limited medical care, and violence occurring during capture, transfer, admission to new facilities, and throughout internment,” she added.

Monitors also interviewed 137 POWs held by Ukraine, including 10 nationals of third countries. More than half provided accounts of torture and ill-treatment during interrogation or transfer, before arrival at official internment facilities. 

“I knew nothing, but they kept torturing me even more,” a Russian POW said about his experience during interrogation in a transit place

The report also documents a rise in extrajudicial executions of POWs.  At least four incidents involving the killing of 10 Ukrainian servicepersons after capture by Russian forces were assessed as credible. 

Four executions of Russian POWs by Ukrainian armed forces were also recorded, alongside credible allegations of three additional incidents currently under review.

Life under occupation

Meanwhile, authorities in Ukrainian territory under Russian occupation continued to impose measures in violation of international humanitarian law, with worsening restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, religion, and access to independent information. 

In March, Russia issued a decree which set a 10 September deadline for Ukrainian citizens in these areas to get a Russian passport, residence permit or other document to “legalise” their stay or risk deportation.

Patterns of arbitrary arrest, prosecutions for criticism of the “special military operation”, the use of forced confessions, and the retroactive application of criminal laws.

The report highlights the continued efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and humanitarians to support civilians, including large-scale evacuations, establishment of transit centres, and delivery of medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance.

This is taking place despite extremely challenging and increasingly dangerous conditions, including attacks on humanitarians. 

The conflict, which erupted last April between rival militaries – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left over 12 million people displaced, both within Sudan and across its borders.

“Heavy rains and flooding have already impacted tens of thousands of people across Sudan, causing further displacement, injuries and deaths,” UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado told journalists at a regular press briefing at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).

In the past two weeks, refugees in eastern Kassala province have been impacted by severe floods, including many families who recently arrived after fleeing violence in Sennar state and who were sheltering in five gathering sites and reception centres.

Displaced multiple times

Ms. Sarrado informed the press that the displaced have been forced to move three or four times since the start of the conflict.

“They have lost their belongings, including food rations, and are facing significant challenges in accessing clean water and sanitation facilities, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases,” she said.

“[We] and our partners are on the ground making every effort to assist the most vulnerable. Together with state authorities, new land has been identified where tents are being set up to accommodate the affected families,” she added.

Children most at risk

Children, meanwhile, continue to remain most at risk. On top of the prevailing insecurity and multiple displacements, their futures are also at risk.

According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 18 million children in Sudan are out of schools.

Sheldon Yett, incoming Representative for Sudan at UNICEF, spoke with UN News from Port Sudan, stressing that classes, even if remote, are vital.

“It provides a location, a sense of normalcy for children, a place for them to meet with their friends, their peers, to feel at home. It is crucial that we get schools up and running, that we get them open, that schools are actually used for education, not for displaced centres, but for places for students for learning. And we have more work to do on that,” he said.

“This is the largest displacement crisis in the world right now. Many schools are hosting displaced populations. We need to ensure those schools are reopened for children.”

Listen to the full interview below

Flooding situation

According to UNHCR, the situation is particularly dire in Shagarab refugee camp, where more than 400 shelters have been destroyed, leaving an already vulnerable population in even greater distress.

As the rains continue, the agency’s teams are bracing for further impacts in other states, including Gedaref, White Nile, and Blue Nile, prepositioning key relief items and shelter kits, cleaning drainage systems and building dikes to protect.

However, in the war-torn Darfur region, flooding is severely hindering the ability of aid agencies to reach those in need, exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.

Decimated livelihoods

The conflict in Sudan has decimated crops and livelihoods, with the climate crisis further endangering the displaced population. Flooded land has rendered farming impossible, intensifying hunger in regions already plagued by drought and violence.

Considering the escalating crisis, UNHCR launched a regional floods appeal for nearly $40 million to assist and protect 5.6 million refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local communities across East Africa, including in Sudan.

So far, however, only $5 million of the needed funds have been secured.