Civilian casualties in Ukraine have surged five times in 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to a new report by the United Nations (UN). The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) confirmed that from January to May 2025, at least 1,389 civilians were either killed or injured in Russian missile and drone attacks. This includes 221 deaths and 1,168 injuries.

Most Attacks Targeted Civilian Areas

The UN stated that about 97% of these attacks occurred in areas still under Ukrainian control. Russia has been launching hundreds of missiles and drones nearly every day in recent weeks. Meanwhile, its ground offensive has also gained speed after months of slow movement. On the other hand, Ukraine has responded with strikes deep inside Russian territory.

Russian Invasion and Occupied Regions

Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014 and took control of Crimea. In the 2022 invasion, Russia captured large parts of four Ukrainian regions — Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Although Russia does not fully control these areas, it has declared them part of its territory and continues to demand that Ukraine surrender them.

UN Official Blames Timing of Airstrikes for Civilian Deaths

After deadly missile strikes earlier this week, a top UN official condemned Russia for the timing of its attacks. The UN said that on Monday and Tuesday, Russian airstrikes killed at least 24 people and wounded more than 300. The strikes hit civilian sites like homes, schools, and hospitals.

Danielle Bell, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), said, “The timing alone made the high number of civilian casualties entirely foreseeable.” She explained that the missiles hit during the day when many people were at work, school, or on public transport.

Civilians Across Ukraine Suffered

The UN found that these strikes caused casualties in 17 out of Ukraine’s 24 provinces, including the capital Kyiv. Bell noted that 2025 has been especially deadly for civilians. She pointed to the rise in long-range missile attacks and the frequent use of short-range drones near the frontlines.

She added, “This year has been devastating for civilians across Ukraine, with significantly more deaths and injuries than during the same period in 2024. The intensification of long-range attacks with missiles and loitering munitions and frequent attacks with short-range drones along the frontline are a deadly combination for civilians.”