UN: Civilian casualties in May due to Russian attacks were the highest in almost a year

The intensification of attacks by the Russian army  this spring has resulted in significant civilian casualties and substantial damage to civilian property and infrastructure. In May, the number of civilian casualties was the highest in almost a year. This is stated in a new report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), prepared by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), UNN reports. 

The report describes the human rights situation in Ukraine from March 1 to May 31, 2024.  It highlights the human rights impact, in particular, of new large-scale attacks by the Russian army on critical energy infrastructure that began in March and the Russian offensive in Kharkiv region in May. 

"In May, the number of civilian casualties was the highest in almost a year, and the fighting this spring has taken a terrible toll on civilians, especially in Kharkiv and Kharkiv region," said  the HRMMU Chief Monitor. Daniel Belle. 

The UN Monitoring Mission   identified the use of powerful aerial bombs and missiles in populated areas and at least 5 incidents of consecutive attacks on the same location within a short period of time as the main causes of severe civilian casualties. 

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According to the UN, during the spring, the Russians launched their largest campaign of attacks on critical energy infrastructure since the winter of 2022-2023, killing and injuring civilians and affecting millions of people across the country.

"Five waves of attacks on energy infrastructure have resulted in civilian casualties and significant power outages for millions of people across the country, with cascading effects on water, mobile and internet communications, and public transportation," Belle said

She also added that the full impact of the attacks on energy infrastructure will become clear only this winter. 

Earlier it was reported that according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine , at least 174 civilians were killed and 690 were injured in May in Ukraine. This number of civilian casualties is the highest since June 2023.