Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — April 2026
Summary
At least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured in Ukraine in April 2026, marking the highest monthly civilian casualty toll since July 20251. This is an 18 per cent increase compared with April 2025 (223 killed; 1,169 injured) and a 13 per cent increase compared with March 2026 (216 killed; 1,242 injured).
Attacks with long-range weapons (missiles and drones) were the primary cause of civilian casualties, accounting for 43 per cent of the total (84 killed; 628 injured), with most casualties occurring in cities and towns far from the frontline. Civilian casualties from long-range weapons increased by 38 per cent compared with March 2026 (61 killed and 456 injured).
At least 54 per cent of all civilian casualties (139 killed; 744 injured) occurred near the frontline as a result of artillery shelling, rocket attacks, drone strikes, and aerial bombardments. Short-range drones killed 80 civilians and injured 481, making this type of weapon the second leading cause of civilian casualties. More civilians were killed and injured by this type of weapon than in any other month since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The vast majority of civilian casualties (96 per cent2) occurred in areas under the control of the Government of Ukraine. Civilians were killed or injured across 16 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.
The highest numbers of killed and injured occurred in Kherson city (26 killed and 201 injured), Dnipro city (23 killed and 115 injured), Nikopol city (16 killed and 93 injured), and Odesa city (15 killed and 80 injured).
In the first four months of 2026, civilian casualties (815 killed; 4,174 injured) were 21 per cent higher than in the same period of 2025 (682 killed; 3,453 injured).
Attacks by Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy, railway, and port infrastructure continued to disrupt civilian life and endanger civilians. In April, at least 14 attacks damaged seaport infrastructure in Odesa region, resulting in civilian casualties, and threatening civilian shipping and the delivery of essential supplies.
1 312 killed and 1,482 injured.
2 1,581 civilian casualties in territory controlled by Ukraine and 61 in territory occupied by the Russian Federation.
