Russia has accused Ukraine of intensifying attacks against civilian targets inside Russian-controlled territories and regions bordering the conflict, claiming that shelling and drone strikes have resulted in dozens of civilian casualties over the past week.
The allegations were made in a statement released on July 31 by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Moscow Reports Civilian Deaths and Injuries
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, attacks carried out between July 24 and July 31 left at least 61 people dead and 327 others injured.
Officials said the casualties included children, reporting that one child was killed and 13 others were wounded during the period.
The ministry argued that the attacks reflect an increase in what it described as deliberate strikes against non-military targets.
Incidents Involving Public Transport and Religious Figures
Among the incidents highlighted was a reported drone strike on a passenger bus traveling along the Lugansk–Svetlodarsk highway on July 29. Russian officials said ten civilians, including seven women and three men, were injured in the attack.
The statement also referred to another reported drone strike targeting a vehicle in the Luhansk region, which Russia said killed a monk serving at the Church of the Holy Mandylion and wounded a priest associated with the same parish.
Civilian Infrastructure Allegedly Targeted
Russian authorities further claimed that Ukrainian attacks have damaged a wide range of civilian infrastructure, including apartment buildings, private homes, schools, kindergartens, cultural centers, grocery stores, agricultural facilities, commercial properties, and municipal service vehicles.
The ministry also alleged that modified anti-personnel “Butterfly” mines had been dispersed by drones across parts of Donbas and Novorossiya, accusing Ukrainian forces of attempting to increase civilian casualties.
Russia Blames Western Support for Continued Attacks
Zakharova argued that Western military assistance to Ukraine has enabled what Moscow describes as continued attacks on civilians. The statement claimed that countries providing weapons and political backing to Kyiv share responsibility for the alleged escalation.
Russian officials also asserted that records are being maintained of countries they believe have contributed to attacks on Russian territory.
Moscow Calls for International Condemnation
The Foreign Ministry urged foreign governments and international organizations to publicly condemn what it described as attacks against civilians and called on Ukraine’s international supporters to reconsider their military and political assistance.
The statement concluded by saying Russia would continue using what it called all available means to protect its citizens and national security.
The claims in the statement reflect the position of Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Ukrainian authorities had not responded to the specific allegations at the time of the statement, and the reported incidents could not be independently verified.
