Civilian Casualties in Ukraine in July Hit Highest Monthly Toll Since March 2022, UN Says

Aug. 14, 2026 Ukrainian State Emergency Service Civilian casualties in Ukraine in July reached their highest level since the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion, as Russian forces intensified long-range missile and drone strikes on towns and cities far from the front line, the UN said in a report published Friday. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed that at least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured last month, the highest toll in any month since March 2022. The figures represent a 30% jump from June and a 70% increase compared to July 2025. Long-range weapons, including cruise and ballistic missiles and drones, remained the primary cause of civilian casualties, accounting for 38% of all deaths and injuries in July. "Most casualties from these weapons occurred far from the front line in urban centers," the UN report read. In recent months, Russia has stepped up attacks using ballistic missiles, which fly at high speeds along steep trajectories that make them far harder to intercept than drones or cruise missiles. Facing a critical shortage of U.S.-made Patriot air defense interceptors, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an urgent appeal to Washington this week for additional supplies. In its report, the UN also noted a rise in the number of deaths from short-range drone attacks near the front line, which killed 111 people and wounded 710 in July, the highest monthly level since the war began in February 2022. Overall, Kyiv was the hardest-hit city last month, with a total of 54 civilians killed, followed by the cities of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. More than 16,000 civilians have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion, according to the UN, with the overwhelming majority of them Ukrainian. Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Ukraine war , United Nations Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russian Forces Attacked UN Aid Trucks in Kherson Region, Officials Say Ukrainian authorities in the southern Kherson region said no one was killed in the combined drone and artillery attack on the aid convoy. 2 Min read Kyiv Invites UN, Red Cross to Ukraine-Held Areas of Russia's Kursk Region The invite comes just days after three Red Cross workers were killed in Eastern Ukraine. 2 Min read Top UN Court Sets Jurisdiction Over Ukraine’s Genocide Lawsuit Kyiv has accused Putin of misapplying the 1948 Genocide Convention to launch his “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022. 2 Min read Ukraine Allies Denounce 'Cynical' Russian Meeting at UN Russia holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council in April and organized the meeting as one of its "signature" events of its tenure. 2 Min read