Russia‘s Foreign Ministry has accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out large-scale attacks against civilian areas over the past week, alleging that hundreds of civilians were killed or injured in strikes across several Russian-controlled and border regions.
The claims were made by Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, who described the reported attacks as a significant escalation in the conflict’s humanitarian toll.
Moscow Reports Sharp Rise in Civilian Casualties
According to Miroshnik, civilian casualties approached 500 during the reporting period of July 20–26, marking what he said was the highest weekly total recorded since the beginning of the year.
Russian officials claimed that 492 civilians were affected during the week, including 57 fatalities and 435 injuries. Among those killed, the ministry said, were seven children, while 14 minors were reported among the injured.
Moscow further alleged that the pace of attacks has resulted in an average of approximately 70 civilian casualties per day.
Children Among Reported Victims
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that 21 children were among the week’s reported casualties, with seven losing their lives and the remaining minors sustaining injuries.
Officials characterized the reported child casualties as evidence of what they described as deliberate attacks on populated civilian areas, accusing Ukrainian forces of endangering non-combatants during military operations.
Border and Occupied Regions Reportedly Most Affected
Russian authorities said the highest number of civilian casualties occurred in the Belgorod Region as well as the Russian-controlled parts of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), Zaporizhzhia Region, and Kherson Region.
According to the Foreign Ministry, civilian infrastructure, residential neighborhoods, energy facilities, and transportation hubs were among the locations allegedly struck during the reporting period.
Russia Alleges Thousands of Munitions Fired
Moscow also claimed that Ukrainian forces launched at least 7,195 munitions toward civilian targets on Russian territory and Russian-controlled areas over the seven-day period.
Russian officials alleged that the attacks were coordinated and intentionally directed at non-military locations with the aim of causing widespread destruction and disrupting essential infrastructure.
Claims Remain Unverified
The figures and allegations were released by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have not been independently verified.
Ukrainian authorities have consistently rejected accusations that they deliberately target civilians, maintaining that their military operations are directed at legitimate military objectives.
Independent verification of battlefield claims from either side remains difficult because of the ongoing conflict and restricted access to affected areas.
