UN Human Rights Monitors Report Extensive Civilian Harm from Recent Attacks

The high casualty numbers follow a sharp increase in civilian deaths and injuries over the summer. HRMMU’s monthly update on civilian harm, published today, shows that 184 civilians were killed and 856 injured in August alone, the second highest monthly casualty number in 2024 after July.

“Powerful missiles and bombs have struck populated areas, killing and injuring civilians across the country”, said Head of HRMMU Danielle Bell. “Targeted attacks on Ukraine's electricity infrastructure have again triggered lengthy nationwide power cuts while recent attacks have destroyed or damaged hospitals, schools, supermarkets, and critical energy infrastructure.”

On 26 August, Russian armed forces launched one of the largest coordinated aerial attacks across Ukraine since February 2022. The attack killed eight civilians and injured at least 23, in addition to damaging at least twenty-five energy facilities 15 regions of Ukraine.  

Subsequent attacks across Ukraine have also resulted in numerous civilian casualties. On 30 August, for example, aerial bombs struck four districts of Kharkiv city, killing 6 civilians and injuring at least 44. On 1 September, multiple missiles struck Kharkiv city, killing one medical worker and injuring at least 11 civilians. On 4 September, attacks with multiple weapons killed seven civilians and injured 62 in Lviv city, in the city’s first civilian casualty incident since February 2024.

While the vast majority of civilian casualties have occurred in areas controlled by Ukraine, HRMMU has also recorded reports of civilian casualties in territory occupied by the Russian Federation and in the Russian Federation. For example, on 4 September, an attack struck a market in occupied Donetsk city, killing four civilians, including two children, and injuring another seven civilians. An attack on Belgorod city in the Russian Federation on 30 August killed 5 persons and injured dozens according to local reports. HRMMU has not been able to verify the Belgorod figures.  

Attacks since 26 August have killed 6 and injured 43 children during the back-to-school period. For example, a girl was among the seven killed in the 4 September attack in the western city of Lviv which also killed her mother, her two sisters aged 18 and 21 and injured their father. The same damaged three schools, only two days after Ukrainian children returned to school.

“Across Ukraine the joy and excitement of going back to school has been marred by air raid sirens and explosions,” said Bell.