UN slams deadly Russian strikes killing 13 in Ukraine

Anastasiia Honcharuk – Rescue workers dig through the rubble of a bombed building in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has strongly condemned a devastating wave of Russian missile and drone strikes that reportedly killed at least 13 civilians and injured 65 others over the weekend. The mission warned that the attacks highlight the deadly consequences of deploying powerful explosive weapons in densely populated areas.

The overnight barrage, launched from Saturday into Sunday, was described by the UN as one of the most extensive assaults since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Strikes were reported across 10 regions of Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv, leaving widespread damage to residential areas and civilian infrastructure.

Among the dead were at least three children, with nine others injured. HRMMU said it is working to verify the full number of casualties and assess the broader humanitarian impact.

"With at least 78 people reported killed or wounded, last night’s attack tragically underscores the ongoing and grave threat posed to civilians by the use of heavy explosive weaponry in urban settings—even those far from the frontlines," said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU, in a statement issued on Sunday.

"This is yet another grim addition to the already staggering toll this war has taken on civilians. More families across Ukraine are now mourning their loved ones."

Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, also expressed deep alarm at the scale of civilian suffering.

"I am horrified that once again civilians—including children—were killed in last night’s massive attacks," he said in a message posted on social media platform X. "Across Ukraine, no place is safe. Homes and civilian infrastructure were hit. I am grateful to humanitarian NGOs and state services that are responding immediately to support those affected. Civilians must never be a target."

Ukrainian officials reported that at least 367 missiles and loitering munitions were fired by Russian forces during the assault, in a coordinated operation involving air, sea, and land-based systems. The attacks followed a similar strike the previous night that primarily targeted the Kyiv region.

According to HRMMU, the use of long-range weapons in populated areas has been a leading cause of civilian casualties in recent months. While casualty figures for May had been lower than those in April, this latest round of strikes is expected to significantly raise the monthly toll.