The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified at least 437 civilians killed and 2,610 injured in July 2026, the highest monthly casualty total since March 2022, the UN said on August 13. A 30% rise from June and a 70% rise from July 2025, the figure also marked the highest monthly death toll since May 2022, according to the mission.
UN: Ukraine civilian casualties in July reached highest monthly level since March 2022
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified at least 437 civilians killed and 2,610 injured in July 2026, the highest monthly casualty total since March 2022, the UN said on August 13. A 30% rise from June and a 70% rise from July 2025, the figure also marked the highest monthly death toll since May 2022, according to the mission.
The UN said the true toll was likely higher, as some reports remained under verification. 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 accounted for 38% of civilian casualties in July, while short-range drones operating near the frontline accounted for another 27%, according to the UN. Russia launched at least 429 missiles during the month, more than twice the number fired in June, the mission said. The deadliest single attack came on July 2, when Russian forces launched 74 missiles and almost 500 long-range drones, mostly against Kyiv, killing at least 30 civilians and injuring 104.
On August 13, Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone struck a passenger train in the southern Odesa region, destroying the locomotive. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 340 people were on board. The locomotive driver and his assistant were killed; the head of Ukraine's state railway operator said none of the passengers was injured. Footage released by emergency services showed flames at the front of the train.
Zelenskyy said Russian forces had also launched more than 130 attack drones overnight on August 13, with strikes reported across 11 regions. He called again for additional air defenses and stronger international pressure on Moscow. Russian forces have repeatedly struck Ukraine's railway network during the war, hitting trains, stations, and other infrastructure.
- The source does not state Russia's position or response to the UN casualty figures or to the drone strike on the train.
- The source does not identify by name the head of Ukraine's state railway operator.
- The source does not specify the methodology the UN used to verify casualties or define what verification entails.
- The source does not state the total number of civilian casualties recorded for July 2025, against which the 70% year-on-year rise is calculated.
- The source does not provide details on the current status or outcome of any diplomatic or military response following Zelenskyy's calls for additional air defenses.
- The source text supplied appears truncated; some material may be missing.
Read the original at Deutsche Welle