War in Ukraine: April has been the deadliest for civilians since September 2024

As Washington wanted to accelerate peace talks, Russian strikes have never made so many victims among Ukrainians for months. April was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians (new window)and more broadly the month recording the most civilian victims, since September 2024, announced this Thursday, May 8 in a press release (new window) The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights in Ukraine (OHCHR). At least 209 civilians were killed and 1,146 injured, according to the United Nations Human Rights surveillance mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).

The overwhelming majority of victims (97%) were affected in the territory controlled by Ukraine, and almost half of the attacks were due to missile attacks or prowrant ammunition, launched by the Russian forces. Among the affected cities, Kryvyi Rih, in the center of the country, Soumy and Kharkiv in the northeast, Zaporijia in the south, and the capital kyiv, who have “suffered devastating attacks that have killed dozens and injured”deplored the head of the HRMMU Danielle Bell, in the press release. “One of the main reasons for the sharp increase in the number of civilian victims is the intensification of use ballistic missiles (new window) in the major cities of the country “she added.

A record number of children among the victims since June 202222

Among the deadliest strikes listed by the UN mission, 20 civilians were killed and at least 63 injured in a ballistic missile attack on April 4 in Kryvyi Rih, then 31 people were killed and 105 injured when two missiles hit the city of Soumy (new window) A week later, on Sunday of the twigs on April 13. On April 24, floating missiles and ammunition launched against the city of kyiv killed at least 11 civilians and injured 81.

“The attacks, (occurred) sometimes at times and in places where many families were gathered outside, have also helped to make a high number of victims among children (new window)“according to the HRMMU. Among the civilian victims identified, 19 children were killed and 78 others injured this month, unheard of since June 2022.

In addition, the UN mission also points to the danger of short -range drone attacks near the front line, which are at the origin of almost one in four civil deaths during the month. “A drone attack against a bus in Marhanets (in the Dnipro region) on April 23 killed at least nine employees of a mining company, including eight women, and injured 58 others, while they went to their work”illustrates the press release. The use of these drones “Train (e) a constant and alarming increase in the number of civilian victims, including children”concludes Danielle Bell.

“Civil damage” increasing compared to last year

In general, this significant number of civilian victims over the past month “Reflects a more general trend to increase civilian damage in 2025 compared to 2024”according to the HRMMU. A total of 664 civilians were killed and 3,425 injured between January and April, “Or an increase of 59 % compared to the same period in 2024”.

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The strikes touching civilians continued at the start of May: according to the Ohchr, this “Attacks of attacks in the major cities of Ukraine continued”. Strikes with these same missiles and floating ammunition have already targeted Kharkiv, Zaporijia or kyiv in just a few days, “causing civilian losses”.

Russian authorities have announced a three -day truce (new window) As of Thursday, May 8, on Thursday, May 8, on the occasion of the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Russian victory against Nazi Germany. But kyiv has already accused Moscow hundreds of violations. She calls for a 30-day ceasefire, which Russia is refused, demanding concrete commitments on her requests above all stops.