Ukraine's increased attacks on Russia's Black Sea ports have led to a stall in grain exports, while Russian drones continue to target Ukrainian civilians in what is described as 'human safaris.' The escalating conflict impacts both economic activity and civilian safety.
Hunderte Feuerwehrkräfte kämpfen gegen den Waldbrand in der Eifel. Die Taliban sind seit fünf Jahren an der Macht. Und Russland zielt auf ukrainische Tankstellen. Das ist die Lage am Samstagmorgen.
Approximately 6,000 Ukrainian civilians, including children, are estimated to still be living in the temporarily occupied parts of the Kherson region, particularly in Oleshky and surrounding settlements.
As Ukrainian refineries burn, Russians are reportedly destroying Ukrainian gas stations, forcing citizens to queue for fuel. This is seen as a tactic to pressure Ukrainian civilians and demonstrate destruction at home.
A Ukrainian man, Ilia K., has been charged with working for Russia and allegedly using bombs disguised as mobile chargers and tissue boxes to target Ukrainian civilians. This marks an escalation in Russian terror tactics against civilians.
The European Union is set to implement measures restricting children's access to social media platforms. Concurrently, the EU, along with the UK, has expanded sanctions against Russia over cyberattacks, surveillance, and human rights abuses.
A small group of Ukrainian civilians and professional divers reportedly carried out the 'sabotage of the century' on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022, using a rented yacht named Andromeda.
Russian forces launched extensive drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, hitting cities like Odesa, Dnipro, and Kherson. The strikes resulted in at least one death and dozens of injuries, with targets including a public transport stop, a school, and a kindergarten.
A 24-year-old otolaryngologist, Olga Pasičņika, has been volunteering for two years with "FRIDA Ukraina" medical missions, traveling to areas near the front lines to provide medical aid to Ukrainian civilians.
Kateryna Dorosh, who documents war crimes, reports that Russia is systematically targeting Ukrainian civilians with FPV drones during evacuations, citing cases of individuals being deliberately hit and killed.
A Russian opposition group is actively working to help locate Ukrainian civilians who have been captured by Russian forces, providing assistance in a humanitarian effort amid the ongoing conflict.
July has been identified as the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to a UN Deputy Chief. This marks a significant increase in civilian casualties during the conflict.
The UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Claudia Fuentes Julio, stated that Russia is conducting 'widespread and systematic torture and abuse' of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, including sexual violence, with over 16,000 civilians still detained.
The United Nations has reported that July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022, highlighting a significant increase in casualties. The ongoing conflict continues to take a heavy toll on the civilian population.
New strikes in Ukraine and Russia have resulted in at least seven deaths, with three killed in Ukraine and four in Russia and annexed Crimea. Ukraine's drone attacks on southern Russia and Crimea led to two deaths and five injuries, prompting Lithuania to issue a protest note to Russia regarding attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
The United Nations has reported that June was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, with nearly 1,400 casualties recorded since the beginning of the year.
EU foreign ministers are set to impose new sanctions on Russia in connection with Moscow's detention of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, as announced by the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU.
The United Nations has reported that May was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, marking a significant increase in casualties. This grim statistic was shared with the UN Security Council.
The United Nations announced that May recorded the highest number of civilian casualties in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. This grim statistic highlights a significant escalation in the conflict's impact on non-combatants.
Russian forces launched a series of missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen people and widespread damage across the Ukrainian capital. Ukrainian officials reported at least 16 fatalities, with some sources indicating higher numbers.
A new exhibition in Strasbourg brings together the stories of Russian dissidents and Ukrainian civilians and soldiers who are currently imprisoned in Russia.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with Italian President Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni in Rome to discuss security and continued support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air defense successfully downed numerous Russian missiles and drones amid ongoing combat clashes.
PFM-1 anti-personnel mines have become a weapon of choice in the war in Ukraine. Also known as "petal mines", these mines are used by both sides, and can be scattered by rockets, bombs, and, increasingly, drones. Designed to cause injury rather than kill outright, they are, however, particularly dangerous for civilians because they are hard to identify – and to defuse. We spoke to demining experts, who explained the challenges posed by these mines.
Russia claims to have struck two Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea, while a Russian drone reportedly crossed into Moldovan airspace during an attack on Ukraine. Separately, a Greek-run tanker carrying Russian oil was also attacked in the Black Sea.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission reported that at least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in Ukraine in July 2026, making it the deadliest month for civilians in over four years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russians are proud of their harassment of people. This comment likely refers to the ongoing conflict and actions against Ukrainian civilians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to open Ukraine’s intelligence archives on the Volhynia massacre, following a meeting focused on improving relations with Poland.
The United Nations has reported that June was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022, with at least 293 people killed in Russian attacks. Over 2,200 civilian casualties were recorded, marking the highest number in four years.
Lithuania delivered a protest note to Russia's embassy representative regarding recent attacks on Ukrainian civilians and ongoing disinformation campaigns against Baltic states.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, 401 cases of sexual violence committed by Russian military personnel against Ukrainian civilians have been recorded, though the actual number is likely higher.
Ukrainian civilians face similar threats to some soldiers, and are learning how to keep each other alive.
Andrii Khodkov/Apostrophe/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
US special ops veterans are…
Ukrainian civilians in a frontline city are facing a dire choice between remaining in the dangerous area or risking their lives on the perilous route known as the 'Road of Death' to escape. Many are trapped with limited options for safety.
The film 'Vesna' by Lithuanian filmmaker Rostislav Kirpičenko, which depicts the burial of executed Ukrainian civilians, has been chosen for the program of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Russia is reportedly holding thousands of Ukrainian civilians in prisons for years, in violation of international humanitarian law, with families desperately fighting for their loved ones' release.
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drones have transformed the battlefield. But they have also brought the war to Ukrainians’ doorstep. Small drones known as FPVs and long-range Shahed drones are terrorising Ukrainian civilians. In a special report in collaboration with RFI Ukraine, our Observers recount their day-to-day reality.