A report released on Monday by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) paints a grim picture of escalating violence, particularly from the use of drones and missile strikes in populated areas.

Covering the period from December 1 2024 to May 31 2025, the report reveals that 986 civilians were killed and 4 807 injured, representing a 37 per cent rise compared to the same period a year earlier.

“The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, is becoming increasingly deadly for civilians,” said Danielle Bell, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

“We continue to document patterns of violence that are inconsistent with obligations under international humanitarian law.”

Most of the casualties occurred in Ukrainian government-controlled areas, primarily as a result of Russian attacks using long-range explosive weapons and, increasingly, short-range drones near front-line positions.

The report found that nearly half of all civilian casualties were caused by missiles, loitering munitions and air-dropped bombs striking densely populated areas.

OHCHR expressed particular concern over the growing use of short-range drones, which accounted for 207 deaths and 1 365 injuries during the reporting period. These drones, which provide real-time visuals to operators, raise serious legal and ethical questions, especially regarding their use against civilian targets.

Among the deadliest incidents cited was a drone strike on a civilian bus carrying mine workers in the Dnipropetrovsk region, killing ten and injuring 57 others.

“Our findings strongly suggest a failure to distinguish between civilian and military targets, and to take all feasible precautions to verify the military nature of those targets, or worse, an intentional decision not to,” said Bell.

--UN/ChannnelAfrica--