The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that since January 2025, Russian attacks have caused a greater number of civilian deaths and injuries than during the same period the previous year.
This is stated in the organization’s report.
The summary notes that from January to April this year, the number of civilian casualties, including injuries, increased by 57% compared to the same period in 2024.
Human rights researchers examined four Russian attacks in Ukraine between February 1 and April 4 of this year, resulting in at least 47 civilian deaths and 180 injuries. The report specifically analyzes the Russian army’s strike on a residential building in Poltava with a blast-cumulative missile on February 1; a missile strike by Russia on the city of Izyum in Kharkiv region on February 4; the impact of a Russian shell on the roof of the Central Hotel in Kryvyi Rih on March 5; and the Russian army’s attack on Kryvyi Rih on April 4, which killed 20 civilians, including nine children.
Human Rights Watch recognized all the attacks reviewed as unlawful, as they violated at minimum the prohibition on indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks under international law.
“The Russian armed forces failed to distinguish between civilian objects and military targets or to avoid excessive civilian casualties that could have been expected from these attacks compared to any potential military advantage,” the organization stated.
Such attacks, whether deliberate or reckless, are considered war crimes under international law, the human rights group emphasized.
The organization underscored that governments, including the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, must use their leverage in negotiations with Russia to compel Moscow to comply with international humanitarian law and halt intentional, indiscriminate, and disproportionate attacks on civilians and civilian objects.
“The priority of diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine must be the protection of civilians and the delivery of justice for committed crimes,” said Belix Ville, associate director of HRW’s Crisis and Conflict Division.
She explained that this means no amnesty for those who commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, as well as support for further investigations and holding accountable those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
