Civilian casualties in Ukraine rise 55% in first eight months of 2026, UN reports

People bring flowers and toys en masse to a playground in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on April 6, 2025, where nine children died in a Russian ballistic missile strike (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto)

More than one civilian was killed or injured every 23 minutes on average in Ukraine during the first eight months of 2026. According to the Kyiv Independent, citing the UN Human Rights Office, civilian casualties during the period were 55 percent higher than in the same period last year. The figures include both people killed and injured in attacks across Ukraine. The rise comes as Russia has intensified its use of missiles, drones and aerial glide bombs, with attacks increasingly striking populated areas and critical infrastructure. The UN has warned that the growing intensity of attacks is exposing civilians to greater danger both near the frontline and in cities farther from the battlefield. One of the biggest factors behind the rising civilian toll has been the increased use of aerial glide bombs, which have caused extensive damage in frontline regions. The UN said nearly 2,500 civilians were killed or injured by glide bombs during the first eight months of 2026, a 62 percent increase from the same period last year. Russian forces have also stepped up long-range drone and missile attacks, allowing strikes to reach cities and populated areas far from the frontline. At the same time, short-range drones have become a growing threat to civilians living near the battlefield, making movement and evacuation increasingly dangerous. The attacks have also increasingly targeted civilian and critical infrastructure, adding to the danger beyond direct battlefield strikes. Residential buildings, schools, medical facilities, railway infrastructure, shops and other civilian sites have been damaged or destroyed, putting people in densely populated areas at risk. Russia's expanding attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have added another layer to the crisis. Damage to power facilities can disrupt electricity, heating and water supplies, while also placing additional pressure on hospitals and other essential services as the country heads towards winter.