Ukraine sees highest civilian casualties since 2022

Ukraine has seen the highest number of civilian casualties in the war with Russia this month for more than four years, according to government figures.

Russian attacks this month have killed at least 377 civilians and injured 2,129, making it the deadliest month of the war since April 2022. The attacks this month have included a high number of ballistic missiles, which are difficult to intercept, and have targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on multiple occasions. Russia has used nearly 1,700 drones, more than 1,630 guided aerial bombs, and more than 50 ballistic missiles in the last week, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We must undercut Russia’s gamble on ballistic terror,” Zelensky said in a post on X Sunday. “Every interceptor missile right now is literally helping save lives if it is here, in Ukrainian systems, not in our partners’ warehouses,” he added. To underline Zelensky’s point, authorities said 10-year-old child and an adult were killed and three other people were injured in a Russian drone attack on a supermarket in Chernihiv on Sunday, according to local authorities. Zelensky has frequently appealed for more Patriot and other air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Zelensky has frequently appealed for more Patriot and other air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Saturday the government will consider lifting the ban on diesel exports “as the market recovers.” “Many areas of Russia and occupied Ukraine continue to struggle with fuel shortages, though Russian officials are increasingly posturing that the economic situation and fuel crisis are stabilizing,” the Institute for the Study of War in Washington said Saturday.