The United Nations has reported a renewed and sharp increase in civilian casualties amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the latest report released by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the number of people killed and injured in May reached its highest level in the past three years.
The report states that 274 people were killed and 1,763 injured during the month, marking the most severe monthly civilian toll since 2022.
The UN noted that these figures are nearly double those recorded in the same period last year, indicating a deterioration in the conflict situation. Missile and drone strikes, in particular, accounted for a significant proportion of the casualties.
It further stated that areas far from the front lines, including the capital Kyiv, are increasingly being targeted. At the same time, short-range drone attacks in frontline regions have become a major cause of civilian deaths.
Since the start of the war in February 2022, more than 16,000 civilians have been killed and over 46,000 injured in Ukraine, according to the UN. However, it warned that the actual figures could be significantly higher due to limited access to Russian-controlled territories.