Kyiv, 25 May 2025 — Last night’s large-scale, coordinated attack with missiles and loitering munitions, one of the largest with such weapons in Ukraine since February 2022, underscores the continued risks to civilians of using powerful explosive weapons in populated areas, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said today.
Local authorities have reported that the overnight attack killed at least 13 civilians, including 3 children, and injured 65, including 9 children. Civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure were reported in 10 regions and in the city of Kyiv. HRMMU is currently verifying the casualties and the broader impact of the attack.
“With at least 78 people reported killed or injured across the country, last night’s attack tragically demonstrates the persistent deadly risk to civilians of using powerful weapons in urban areas, including those far away from the frontline,” said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU. “It is yet another addition to the staggering human toll this war continues to inflict on civilians, with more families across the country now grieving their losses.”
Ukrainian authorities reported that the Russian armed forces launched at least 367 missiles and loitering munitions against Ukraine during the night between 24 and 25 May, in a coordinated attack with air, sea, and land-based systems. The attack followed a similar attack the previous night, which mainly targeted the Kyiv region.
The use of a wide variety of long-range weapons in urban areas significantly contributed to the high number of civilian casualties in March and April this year. While civilian casualties in May had been somewhat lower than in April before this weekend, the civilian harm from last night’s attack will add to May’s monthly toll, HRMMU said.
