By Tahir Imin Uyghurian
Nov.22, 2023
According to Reuters, In a recent update, the U.N. Human Rights Office revealed that more than 10,000 civilians have lost their lives in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Shockingly, nearly half of the recent casualties occurred well behind the front lines, challenging conventional expectations.
The U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine, with an extensive monitoring presence in the country, anticipates that the actual death toll is “significantly higher” than reported, as corroborative efforts continue. Notably, events like the battle for control of Mariupol in the early months post-invasion have contributed to the elevated toll, with residents reporting substantial civilian casualties.
Danielle Bell, head of the monitoring mission, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Ten thousand civilian deaths is a grim milestone for Ukraine.” She expressed concern that the conflict, now in its 21st month, could escalate into a protracted struggle, inflicting a severe human cost.
Explosive weapons with broad impact, including shells, missiles, and cluster munitions, have been responsible for the vast majority of deaths, according to the United Nations. In the last three months, nearly half of the fatalities occurred far from the front lines, attributed to Russian forces’ use of long-range missiles and delayed explosions of abandoned ordnances.
U.N. data highlights a disproportionate impact on older individuals, who constitute a significant fraction of those killed. More than a third of confirmed victims were over 60, surpassing their representation in the total population, which constitutes just a quarter of the demographic.
Despite these distressing figures, Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing tragedy.
