Ukraine

28 May 2025

Russian forces launched extensive aerial attacks across Ukraine from 23–26 May 2025, including a record 367 drones and missiles on the night of 24 May. The strikes killed at least 12 civilians, injured 70, and damaged both critical and civilian infrastructure. If Ukrainian air defences struggle to keep up with the frequency and intensity of such aerial attacks in the future, threats to civilian safety across Ukraine are likely to increase. (Air Force Command of UA Armed Forces Facebook accessed 28/05/2025, The Economist 25/05/2025, NV 25/05/2025)

15 April 2025

In April 2025, two Russian ballistic missile attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy cities caused at least 54 civilian deaths and around 192 injuries. For April–May, as US-led peace talks continue, the risk of attacks resulting in mass civilian casualties remains high. Casualties in March 2025 were 50% higher than in February 2025. (Kyiv Independent 13/04/2025, Kyiv Independent 15/04/2025, OHCHR 09/04/2025)

15 April 2025

By 9 April 2025, civilian infrastructure damage in Kryvorizkyi raion (Dnipropetrovska oblast) was 40% higher within the year at 98 counts compared to the entire 2024 (70). Most of the damage is to industrial or business facilities, likely affecting the local economy. This increase comes as Russian forces have increased ground conflict intensity in western parts of Zaporizka oblast. (ACAPS accessed 14/04/2025, ISW 09/04/2025, ACLED accessed 08/04/2025)

02 April 2025

On 25 March 2025, the US reached an agreement with Ukraine and Russia on a temporary pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, although the details remain unclear. Despite the agreement, Russian forces have continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, causing localised electricity disruptions. One such attack on 27 March on Kharkiv temporarily left people without heating, while on 1 April, an attack on Kherson city left 45,000 civilians without electricity. (LB 31/03/2025, ISW 01/04/2025, Slovo i Dilo 02/04/2025)

31 March 2025

During the first two months of 2025, intensified hostilities along the frontline led to the displacement of over 20,000 people to safer areas away from the frontline. Out of the 20,000 IDPs, 9,800 were from Donetska oblast and 4,450 from Khersonska. ([OCHA 27/03/2025(https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-situation-snapshot-january-february-2025-enuk))

25 March 2025

On 24 March 2025, a Russian missile and drone attack on Sumy city injured 106 people, including 23 children, in Sumska oblast. Overall, 73 buildings were damaged, including three schools, a kindergarten, a hospital, and 61 residential units. State responders provided immediate emergency, rescue, and psychological support, followed by the restoration of water and gas supply. The people affected require legal, cash, and shelter assistance. Since late February, heightened hostilities in Kursk oblast in Russia has led to a rise in attacks on the communities along the border with Sumska oblast, resulting in casualties; damage to private homes, transportation, and critical infrastructure; and disruptions to water and power supplies. On 13 March, the authorities of Sumska oblast announced a mandatory evacuation of 543 civilians, including children, from eight communities in the Yunakivska and Myropilska hromadas of Sumskyi raion, which are located within 0–10km of the Russian border. (Sumy City Council 25/03/2025, Ukrinform 13/03/2025, ACLED accessed 25/03/2025)

24 October 2024

The Russian Federation continues to attack the ports in Odeska oblast after withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative on 17 July 2023. A spike in attacks occurred between August–September, following a yearly trend of Russia targeting and damaging grain storage facilities after the harvest season, port infrastructure and vehicles, and foreign vessels. Until 11 October 2024, Russia conducted more than 60 ballistic missile and drone attacks during a three-month period. These attacks resulted in civilian casualties, mainly port and ship employees. Complicated logistics through river ports and railways increase costs, an additional strain on Ukraine’s already weakened economy. (ISW 14/10/2024, Radio Svoboda 11/10/2024, APK-Inform 11/10/2024)