UN reports record civilian deaths in Ukraine in June 2026

U.N. political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that Russian attacks killed at least 265 civilians and injured 1,816 in Ukraine during June 2026, the highest combined casualty count since the early months of the war. The U.N.’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified that, since the invasion began in February 2022, at least 16,402 civilians – including 802 children – have been killed and 48,428 injured (2,948 children). DiCarlo warned that the alarming trend appears to be continuing into July, citing three large‑scale aerial strikes on Kyiv and other cities last week that targeted densely populated urban centres. She also noted civilian deaths in Russian‑occupied Ukrainian territories and, according to Russian authorities, 250 civilians killed and 1,596 injured inside Russia during the first half of 2026, figures the U.N. could not verify. Final June data are expected to be published at the end of July, and DiCarlo called for an immediate, unconditional cease‑fire and a comprehensive peace settlement in line with international humanitarian law.