The war in Ukraine has claimed the lives of at least 183 civilians and left 567 injured in February, according to the latest report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Although the number of casualties represents a 24% decrease compared to January 2025, the figures mark a 35% increase from the same period last year, highlighting the persistent human cost of the conflict.
Over 42,500 Civilian Casualties Since 2022
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, confirmed civilian casualties have reached at least 42,505, including 12,737 deaths. The UN has warned that the actual figures are likely to be significantly higher, particularly in cities such as Mariupol, Lysychansk, Popasna, and Severodonetsk, where intense fighting took place in the early stages of the war.
In February alone, the casualties included:
- 77 men, 42 women, 2 boys, and 2 girls killed.
- 287 men, 254 women, 14 boys, and 12 girls were injured.
The total number of civilian deaths in 2025 now stands at 271, following 2,071 in 2024, 1,971 in 2023, and 8,427 in 2022.
Drones Now the Deadliest Weapon in the Conflict
The report highlights a concerning shift in warfare, with short-range drones, particularly First-Person-View (FPV) drones, now responsible for more civilian casualties than any other weapon system.
In Ukrainian-controlled areas of Kherson, drone strikes accounted for 63% of all casualties, continuing a pattern observed in December 2024 and January 2025.
The majority of February’s casualties (77%) occurred near the frontlines, particularly in the Donetsk and Kherson regions. The city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk was among the worst affected, with 18 civilians killed and 45 injured.
Attacks on Schools and Hospitals Continue
Beyond the loss of life, the damage to infrastructure remains severe, with educational and medical facilities frequently targeted:
- Three schools were destroyed and 40 more damaged in February.
- Two medical facilities were destroyed, and 22 others were damaged.
Since the start of the war, at least 89 medical facilities and 346 schools have been completely destroyed, while 724 medical sites and 1,359 educational institutions have suffered damage.
Casualties Likely Underreported
The OHCHR has warned that civilian deaths and injuries are likely to be underestimated, particularly in areas where intense, prolonged combat has made accurate reporting difficult. Mass graves and missing records in cities like Mariupol and Severodonetsk mean that the true scale of the human cost may never be fully known.
UN Scales Back Casualty Reporting
At the beginning of the invasion, the UN released daily updates on the number of civilian casualties. Over time, this was reduced to weekly reports, then fortnightly, and, since October 2023, the figures have been published on a monthly basis.
War Enters Fourth Year With No End in Sight
As the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year, the humanitarian toll continues to grow. The latest figures paint a grim picture of escalating drone warfare, increasing civilian casualties, and a conflict with no clear resolution in sight.
