Ukraine: Civilian casualties hit highest level since March 2022

Investigators verified that at least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured last month, marking “a new high” in casualties this year, with a 30 per cent increase compared to June and a 70 per cent increase compared to July 2025. 

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is now in its fifth year, with no diplomatic solution in sight. 

 According to investigators, child casualties also reached their highest level last month since April 2022, though the actual figure is likely to be higher as verification continues. 

Toll rising

“Every month this year the number of killed and injured civilians has increased. That trend accelerated sharply in July. The number of civilian casualties in July was the highest we documented in a single month since March 2022,” said Danielle Bell, HRMMU chief.   

During the first seven months of 2026, investigators verified that 12,477 civilian casualties resulted from conflict-related violence, with 1,830 killed and 10,638 wounded. 

That toll represented a 44 per cent increase over the same period in 2025 (1,434 killed and 7,216 injured) and more than double the number during the same period in 2024 (1,188 killed and 4,560 injured).  

Kyiv hit hard

Ukraine’s capital Kyiv was among the hardest hit cities in July. At least 54 civilians were killed and 202 injured, as Russian forces significantly stepped up the use of ballistic and cruise missiles.  

Moscow launched at least 429 missiles in July, more than double the number in June, and many struck Kyiv. 

The deadliest strike of the month occurred on 2 July. At least 30 civilians were killed and 104 injured when Russian forces launched 74 missiles and almost 500 long-range drones, mainly striking Kyiv city.  

Deadly missiles and drones

Long-range weapons, namely missiles and drones, remained the leading cause of civilian casualties last month, accounting for 38 per cent of the total (183 killed and 967 injured).  

Casualties from aerial bombardments (105 killed and 753 injured) increased by a staggering 143 per cent compared with June 2026 (45 killed and 308 injured), with glide bombs becoming the second leading cause of civilian casualties.  

Short-range drones near the frontline caused 27 per cent of casualties, killing 111 civilians and injuring 710.   

The UN monitors said that while several high-casualty large-scale attacks drove some of the increase in civilian casualties in July, daily attacks with fewer casualties across different regions also contributed to the high numbers.    

“Civilians are facing intensified risks from the increased use of missiles and drones in urban centres, glide bombs in cities closer to the frontline, and short-range drones,” said Ms. Bell.  

“Together, these attacks are driving up civilian casualties across different regions of Ukraine.” 

Casualties in Russia

HMRRU said reported civilian casualties in Russia also increased in July with 79 civilians were killed and 601 injured, according to authorities. 

However, monitors were unable to independently verify these numbers due to lack of access and limited information. 

Since the conflict in Ukraine began on 24 February 2022, the UN has verified at least 16,874 civilians killed, including 820 children, and 51,173 injured, including 3,126 children.