Dramatic increase in the number of victims in Ukraine. The UN warns: 85 percent more dead and injured than last year
Quick Look
- In September 2025, Ukraine recorded the highest number of civilian casualties since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression, especially in Kiev and large cities.
- The UN emphasizes the link between the increase in casualties and the intensification of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, which may violate international humanitarian law.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
September 2025 saw the highest number of civilian casualties in Ukraine since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression in February 2022, especially in Kiev and other large cities. This increase coincided with the intensification of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, which began on August 30 and continued in October.
Most victims in Kiev and large cities
The UN emphasizes that civilians were killed or injured in as many as 22 regions of Ukraine and in Kiev itself.
The situation was particularly dramatic in the capital, where fatalities and injuries were recorded on 22 out of 30 days in September. This is the highest monthly rate since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression in February 2022.
A large number of victims were also recorded in Kherson, Kharkov, Sumy and Zaporozhye.
Russian attacks on energy infrastructure
UN experts point out that the increase in the number of victims coincided with the intensification of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. On August 30, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced "massive strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities." Already on September 30, key installations in three districts and in Kiev were damaged, which led to emergency power outages.
The attacks also continued in October - on the night of October 13-14, Russian troops attacked three main power plants in the capital, depriving up to 600,000 residents of electricity.
UN: Attacks may violate international law
In its report on attacks on energy infrastructure in the winter season of 2025–2026, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights indicates that these actions may violate the basic principles of international humanitarian law.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The UN may launch an official investigation into possible violations of international law by Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Likely · Within weeks
Ukraine may request additional air defense systems from Western partners to protect energy infrastructure from further attacks.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What are the exact numbers of deaths and injuries in September 2025?
- What specific energy facilities were damaged in the attacks?
- What steps is the international community taking in response to these attacks?
