UN: Russian Drone Attacks on Civilians Rose by 49% in March Compared to February

In March 2026, Russian drones increased the number of targeted attacks against Ukraine’s civilian population.

This was reported by Suspilne, citing the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (UNHRMMU).

According to UN estimates, the number of civilian casualties rose by 49% last month compared to February.

As a result, at least 211 people were killed, and another 1,206 were wounded. At the same time, figures from early April also show a grim trend: in the first 9 days of the new month, at least 46 civilians were killed, and 343 were wounded.

As the organization notes, the primary means by which Russian occupiers are targeting civilians are short-range drones.

Additionally, the study highlights that in 2025, the number of casualties exceeded 2024 figures by 121%: from 226 killed and 1,528 wounded to 580 killed and 3,295 wounded. In March 2026, these figures also rose—by 70% compared to March 2025.

Additionally, IHRC Chair Daniel Belle noted that frontline areas remain extremely dangerous for civilians, primarily due to the use of drones, particularly FPV drones, which the enemy has begun to use for targeted strikes.

According to her, about half of those killed in these areas are elderly people.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has confirmed the deaths of at least 15,578 civilians, including 784 children. At least 43,352 people have been injured, including 2,668 children.

As a reminder, in early March in the Kryvyi Rih district, Russian troops attacked a Ukrzaliznytsia commuter passenger train. A drone struck one of the train’s cars while it was in motion. One person was killed in the attack.

Additionally, on February 1, 2026, Russian troops attacked a bus carrying miners with Shahed-type strike drones near Ternivka in the Pavlohrad district of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Fifteen miners were killed in the strike, and seven others were injured. Furthermore, Russian troops committed a similar war crime on May 17, 2025, when they attacked a passenger bus near the city of Sumy. Nine people were killed in the attack, and four others were injured.