UN: civilian casualties in Ukraine surge by 37% over six-month period

The number of civilian casualties in Ukraine has risen sharply, with a 37% increase recorded over a six-month period compared to the previous year, according to a new report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Covering the period from 1 December 2024 to 31 May 2025, the report confirms at least 968 civilians were killed and 4,807 injured amid ongoing hostilities. The data, published on 30 June, reflected the continued toll of Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

Among the documented casualties were 3,108 men, 2,363 women, 167 boys, and 137 girls. According to the OHCHR, 95% of the casualties occurred in areas under the control of the Ukrainian government, while the remaining 5% were recorded in Russian-occupied territories.

The report also confirmed at least five direct attacks on hospitals by Russian forces during the reporting period, a potential violation of international humanitarian law.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the UN has verified 13,341 civilian deaths and 32,744 injuries in Ukraine. However, the OHCHR stressed that the figures included only documented incidents and the actual number of casualties is likely significantly higher.