Over 17,800 Civilian Casualties Reported During War
More than 17,800 civilian casualties have been reported over the course of the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
As of December 26, a total of 17,831 civilian casualties were reported to the OHCHR since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24 this year. Of those, 6,884 civilians have been killed, including 2,719 men, 1,832 women and 1,904 adults whose identities have yet to be confirmed. An additional 429 children have also been killed since the war began.
The OHCHR said another 10,947 people have been injured, including at least 2,364 men, 1,709 women and 800 children. The agency said it has not yet identified the sex of more than 6,000 other adult civilians who also suffered injuries during the war.
Between December 1 and 26 alone, the OHCHR said it recorded 165 civilian deaths and 516 civilian injuries.
Most of the casualties recorded over the course of the war have been attributed to “the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, missiles and air strikes,” according to the OHCHR.
The UN agency said it is possible the actual number of civilian casualties is “considerably higher,” as casualty reports are likely delayed in some areas as the fighting continues.
Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country over the course of the war. Many sought shelter in nearby European countries as the war raged on.
The latest Ukrainian refugee data gathered by the U.N. and last updated on December 27 shows a total of 7,896,825 million Ukrainian refugees were recorded in Europe over the course of the war, with more than 4.8 million having sought temporary protection status.
