The Deadliest Russian Missile Strikes on Ukrainian Civilians, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian armed forces have systematically launched missile attacks on densely populated areas of Ukraine. These strikes often lack clear military necessity and result in mass civilian casualties. Below are five of the deadliest documented cases, verified by international organizations and global media.
April 13, 2025 — Sumy: Strike on the City Center
Date: April 13, 2025
Location: Sumy, Sumy region
Event: In the morning hours, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the central part of the city, where hundreds of civilians were present. The attack hit an area with university buildings, residential blocks, and public transport routes.
Casualties: At least 35 killed, over 120 injured
Weapon type: Iskander-M ballistic missiles with cluster warheads
The cluster munitions scattered over a wide area, hitting pedestrians, vehicles, and building facades. Doctors reported multiple shrapnel wounds, amputations, and severe injuries, including among children.
This attack became one of the deadliest of 2025 due to its timing and location in a crowded civilian area.
June 17, 2025 — Kyiv: Combined Night Assault
Date: June 17, 2025
Location: Kyiv
Event: During the night, the capital was subjected to a massive multi-wave attack involving dozens of drones and missiles. Explosions were recorded in several residential districts.
Casualties: Between 16 and 28 killed, over 100 injured
Weapon type: Cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, attack drones
Residential buildings collapsed, fires broke out, and entire entrances of apartment blocks were destroyed. People were trapped under the rubble. Rescue operations lasted several days.
The combination of different weapon types made the attack especially dangerous, overwhelming air defense systems.
April 8, 2025 — Dobropillia: Strike on Residential Areas
Date: April 8, 2025
Location: Dobropillia, Donetsk region
Event: A missile strike hit a sleeping residential district with no major military targets.
Casualties: At least 11 killed, dozens injured
Weapon type: Ballistic missiles and multiple rocket launch systems
Many buildings were completely destroyed. Civilians were killed inside their homes. Debris scattered hundreds of meters, expanding the blast radius.
4. April 24, 2025 — Kyiv and Regions: Russian War Crimes with Missiles
Date: April 24, 2025
Location: Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk region, Kharkiv region
Event: Russia carried out one of the largest combined attacks of the year, lasting several hours.
Casualties: At least 13 killed, over 70 injured
Weapon type: Ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones
Energy infrastructure, residential buildings, and transport hubs were hit. Power and water outages followed in several cities.
Russian War Crimes with Missiles 2025: The Accumulated Effect of Terror
Period: 2025
Locations: Various regions of Ukraine
Event: Regular strikes on civilian infrastructure
Casualties: Hundreds killed, thousands injured
Weapon type: Missiles, drones, cluster munitions
According to the UN, civilian casualties surged in 2025 primarily due to repeated strikes on residential areas.
Summary Table
| Date | City | Killed | Injured | Weapon Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 13, 2025 | Sumy | 35+ | 120+ | Ballistic, cluster |
| June 17, 2025 | Kyiv | 16–28 | 100+ | Missiles, drones |
| April 8, 2025 | Dobropillia | 11+ | 40+ | Ballistic |
| April 24, 2025 | Kyiv & regions | 13+ | 70+ | Combined |
| 2025 (year) | Ukraine | Hundreds | Thousands | Mixed |
Russian Missile Strikes on Ukrainian Civilians
International humanitarian law requires:
- distinction between military and civilian objects;
- proportionality;
- protection of civilian populations.
In these cases:
- strikes targeted civilian areas;
- casualties were predictable;
- no urgent military necessity was evident.
Russian War Crimes with Missiles
Responsibility lies with:
- commanders who issued the orders;
- military leadership;
- the political leadership of the state.
Under the Rome Statute, such actions qualify as war crimes.
Consequences of Inaction
If these crimes go unpunished, terror against civilians becomes normalized, international law erodes, and tragedies are repeated. Without accountability, aggression becomes an acceptable political tool.