Russian Airstrikes Cause at Least 293 Ukrainian Civilian Deaths in June

by Lee Seungjin

Published 15 Jul.2026 17:34(KST)

Ukrainian civilian casualties have reached the highest level in over four years due to Russian airstrikes on urban areas.

According to AFP and Euronews on July 15, 2026 (local time), the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) announced, "At least 293 civilians were killed and 1,990 were injured in Ukraine last month."

On July 13, 2026 (local time), firefighters are conducting firefighting and cleanup operations at a residential site damaged by a Russian airstrike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

This is the highest monthly figure since April 2022, right after the start of Russia’s invasion. Analysis indicates that civilian casualties were most severe in rear urban centers located far from the Russian border.

Russia has concentrated its firepower on rear urban areas, including the capital Kyiv, in response to attacks targeting energy facilities in Ukraine. Although there have been numerous civilian casualties in this process, Russian authorities have denied allegations of attacking civilians, claiming to have targeted infrastructure near city centers.

In the first half of this year, 1,396 Ukrainian civilians were killed, marking a 37% increase compared to the same period last year. This is more than double compared to the first half of 2024. During the first half of this year, 250 Russian civilians also lost their lives—a 121% increase from the previous year.

Since the Russian invasion, the total number of Ukrainian civilian deaths has reached 16,431, including 803 children. The United Nations added that, as it is difficult to verify casualties in some Russian-occupied territories, the actual number of fatalities may be even higher.

According to Ukrainian regional authorities, three civilians were killed in the Black Sea port city of Odesa on the same day following a Russian attack.