Civilian casualties in Ukraine have reached their highest monthly level since the early weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to the United Nations. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified at least 437 civilians killed and 2,610 injured in July, a 30% rise from June and 70% more than in July 2025.
July recorded the highest overall number of civilian casualties since March 2022, while the number of people killed was the highest since May 2022. The UN said the true toll was likely higher, with some reports still being verified. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the UN has verified at least 16,874 civilian deaths and 51,273 injuries in Ukraine.
Long-range missiles and drones remained the biggest cause of civilian casualties in July, accounting for 38% of the total. Short-range drones operating close to the frontline accounted for another 27% of casualties. “Civilians are facing intensified risks from the increased use of missiles and drones in urban centers, glide bombs in cities closer to the frontline, and short-range drones,” said head of the mission Danielle Bell.
Russia launched at least 429 missiles during the month, more than twice the number fired in June, according to the UN. The deadliest attack came on July 2, when Russian forces launched 74 missiles and almost 500 long-range drones, mostly against Kyiv. At least 30 civilians were killed and 104 injured.
A Russian drone strike has hit a passenger train carrying hundreds of people in Ukraine's southern Odesa region, killing two railway workers, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 340 people were on board when a drone struck and destroyed the locomotive. The locomotive driver and his assistant were killed in the attack, while none of the passengers was injured.
Footage released by emergency services showed flames engulfing the damaged front of the train. Zelenskyy accused the drone operator of knowingly targeting a civilian train, saying it would have been impossible not to recognize the nature of the target. Russian forces have repeatedly struck Ukraine's railway network during the war, hitting trains, stations and other infrastructure.
Zelenskyy said Russian forces had also launched more than 130 attack drones overnight, with strikes reported across 11 regions. He again called for additional air defenses and stronger international pressure on Moscow.
Source: www.dw.com