Russian attacks killed over 160 people in Ukraine during January — UN report
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) stated in its report that at least 161 civilians were killed and another 757 people were injured due to Russian attacks across Ukraine in January 2026. Massive strikes on energy infrastructure caused large-scale disruptions of electricity, heat, and water for millions of Ukrainians.
Consequences of the Russian attack on KramatorskThe document paid special attention to the systematic and repetitive attacks by the Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In January, such strikes were particularly frequent and destructive. Because of them, millions of people across the country were left without electricity, heating, or a water supply amid consistently low temperatures.
The UN emphasizes that the disruptions caused serious difficulties for the population, affecting access to adequate housing, medical care, and education. Those from vulnerable categories were most affected.
You may also want to read: How Russian missile strikes crippled Ukraine’s healthcare system – report by Physicians for Human Rights and Truth Hounds
According to the report, at least 161 civilians were killed as a result of war-related violence, and another 757 people were injured in January. The casualty level remains similar to that in January 2025.
Attacks using long-range weapons — missiles and drones — caused 39% of all civilian casualties: 54 people were killed, and 305 were injured. The majority of these strikes hit urban centers located far from the front line.
The remaining casualties were recorded near the line of active combat: 97 dead and 444 injured. Drones caused the highest number of casualties (54 killed and 207 injured), followed by artillery fire and multiple launch rocket systems (26 killed and 156 injured), and airstrikes (17 killed and 81 injured). An additional 18 civilians were killed or injured as a result of incidents involving explosive objects and mines.
The overwhelming majority of victims — 99% — were recorded in territories under Ukrainian control. Civilian deaths and injuries were documented in 12 regions of the country and in Kyiv.
You may also want to read: Russian military has been killing children in Ukraine with shelling for four consecutive days
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has intercepted yet another order from a Russian commander to deliberately kill civilians in the Oleksandrivsk direction of the Donetsk region. The agency released an audio recording of the radio intercept.
