Ukraine reports 377 civilian deaths in July, highest since April 2022, as Russia escalates air strikes
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At least 377 civilians were killed and 2,129 wounded in Ukraine in July, the highest monthly toll since April 2022, Ukraine’s government said Wednesday. The sharp rise in casualties comes as Russia has escalated its air campaign with waves of drones, guided bombs and ballistic missiles, frequently striking residential areas.
The July Casualties
Ukrainian authorities recorded 377 civilian deaths and 2,129 injuries in July, exceeding any month since April 2022, when Russian forces withdrew from Kyiv’s outskirts. The previous monthly high in 2026 had been 218 killed in May, according to government data. The deadliest single day was July 8, when a missile strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih killed 41 people.
Russian Air Tactics
The surge has been driven by a shift in Russia’s air campaign, with a sharp increase in the use of cheap Shahed drones and guided glide bombs, according to Ukrainian military analysts. Moscow launched over 1,700 drones and 1,630 guided bombs in the last week alone, President Zelensky said. Ballistic missile attacks, which are harder to intercept, have also intensified, with at least 50 strikes reported in July.
Recent Attacks
A drone struck a supermarket in Chernihiv on Tuesday, killing a 10-year-old child and one adult, and wounding three others, local officials said. The attack underscored the indiscriminate nature of the strikes, which have hit residential areas, schools and hospitals. In Kharkiv, a guided bomb on July 25 destroyed a residential building, leaving 12 dead.
What's Next
The UN Security Council is set to discuss the escalating civilian toll at Ukraine’s request early next month. It remains unclear whether Western allies will provide additional air defense systems in response, as stockpiles run low.
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Ukraine reports 377 civilian deaths in July, highest since April 2022, as Russia escalates air strikes
