2025 became the deadliest year for Ukrainians since the start of the full-scale invasion - ISW
Kyiv • UNN
In 2025, Russians killed at least 2,919 civilians and wounded 17,775, an increase of 12% and 25% respectively compared to 2024. Drone strikes caused the majority of civilian casualties.
Available independent reports continue to indicate that 2025 was the deadliest year for Ukrainian citizens since Russia's full-scale invasion. This is stated in the material of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), reports UNN.
Details
It is noted that, according to the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) project, Russians killed at least 2,919 civilians and wounded 17,775 in 2025 – an increase of 12% and 25% respectively, compared to 2024.
Drone strikes killed at least 1,376 civilians and wounded at least 10,089 – more casualties than from all other types of weapons combined, and almost three times the level of civilian casualties from drone strikes in 2024.
It is indicated that these figures are consistent with the findings of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and a European government report on civilian casualties in 2025 dated January 12. Thus, the UN noted that Russian strikes on territories controlled by Ukraine caused 97 percent of the total number of civilian casualties in 2025.
The increase in civilian casualties is notable despite the absence of large-scale hostilities in the Kherson direction. Russian forces widely use the tactic of "human safari" in the Kherson region, using tactical drones, especially FPV, to strike civilians and civilian infrastructure.
ISW also indicates that Russian forces "have integrated the deliberate infliction of harm on civilians into their broader pattern of battlefield air interdiction operations."
Recall
President Zelenskyy stated that he would not conclude any agreement with Russia if it was bad for Ukraine. He is ready to continue the fight to ensure a dignified and lasting peace.