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Ukraine War: 2025 Deadliest Year for Civilians
12 Jan
Summary
- Civilian casualties in Ukraine rose 31% in 2025, totaling 2,514 killed and 12,142 injured.
- Intensified front-line fighting and expanded long-range weapon use drove the surge in harm.
- Nearly two-thirds of casualties occurred in frontline areas, with drone attacks increasing sharply.
The United Nations reported that 2025 marked the deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, with conflict-related violence claiming 2,514 lives and injuring 12,142. This represents a 31% increase in victims compared to 2024, driven by intensified front-line hostilities and the broader deployment of long-range weaponry.
Russian armed forces' intensified territorial capture efforts in 2025 led to increased civilian harm, infrastructure destruction, and displacement in front-line zones. Almost two-thirds of all casualties occurred in these volatile areas, with older individuals disproportionately affected. Civilian casualties from short-range drones also saw a sharp rise, rendering many areas near the front lines uninhabitable.
The expanded use of long-range attacks and targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure meant the war's consequences were felt far beyond the front lines. Russian authorities reported 253 civilian deaths and 1,872 injuries within the Russian Federation due to Ukrainian armed forces' actions, though the U.N. could not verify these figures.
