The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported on 14/7 that at least 293 Ukrainian civilians died in June, bringing the total deaths since the beginning of the year to nearly 1,400. This figure marks a 37% increase compared to the same period last year and is more than double the count from 2024.

Residents stand at the scene of a Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 2/6. Photo: Reuters

According to Danielle Bell, head of the HRMMU mission, the June figures "reveal an alarming escalation in civilian casualties, driven by the increased use of powerful explosive weapons in densely populated urban areas."

The HRMMU believes the rise in Ukrainian civilian casualties is largely due to Russia's sustained, large-scale long-range attacks on cities such as Dnipro, Odesa, and the capital Kyiv. Russia frequently employs high-speed, highly destructive ballistic missiles in such attacks.

According to the United Nations, civilian casualties from long-range weapons from January to June increased by 60% compared to the same period in 2025. Ukraine's air defense capabilities are nearly exhausted, leaving it unable to effectively counter Russian ballistic missiles.

Russia has not commented on the information. It has repeatedly asserted that it targets only Ukrainian military or energy infrastructure, not civilians.

Ukrainian officials have consistently highlighted the difficulties in intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. They have urged European allies to bolster support for missile defense systems and actively lobbied the United States to authorize the production of Patriot interceptor missiles.

An explosion illuminated the sky over Kyiv, Ukraine, during a Russian attack on 2/6. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine has frequently praised the effectiveness of Patriot, emphasizing it is the only weapon capable of countering Russia's Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles.

In areas near the front lines, short-range unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) caused the majority of civilian casualties in 2026.

Bell noted that drones have "completely changed the living environment" for residents near the front lines. "Many people say they constantly feel hunted by drones even when doing daily tasks like buying food, walking their dog, cycling, gardening, or evacuating to safety," she said.

CNN's statistics, based on data from Ukrainian local officials, indicate that attacks in the first half of July resulted in at least 240 civilian deaths and 1,904 injuries. On 2/7, another fierce Russian attack on Kyiv killed at least 30 people, including a family of six.

Ukraine has also retaliated with long-range unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on oil and gas facilities deep within Russian territory. Russian officials have not released statistics on civilian casualties from such attacks.

Vu Hoang (According to CNN, AFP, Reuters)