More than 12,300 civilians have been killed since the start of the war in Ukraine, says UN

More than 12,300 civilians have been killed in Ukraine’s war since Russia’s invasion almost three years ago, a UN official told a UN meeting on Wednesday, citing a rise in casualties due to the use of drones, missiles and long range and glide bombs.

Russia, which is making territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, has carried out regular attacks on distant cities in recent months using these weapons. This contributed to a 30% increase in civilian deaths, to 574, between September and November 2024 in Ukraine, compared with the previous year, according to UN data.

In total, UN deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif said more than 12,300 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, including 650 children — although the UN has repeatedly said its count is lower than reality because it only includes children. deaths that their teams were able to verify.