UN monitors record 328 civilians killed in Ukraine in September, the highest for that month since the invasion

The UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) says at least 328 civilians were killed and 2,105 injured in Ukraine in September 2026, the highest September total since the full-scale invasion began. The figure is 85% above September 2025, when it recorded 249 killed and 1,068 injured.

For January to September 2026, HRMMU verified 2,570 civilians killed and 15,211 injured, 59% more than in the same period of 2025. Its report, dated 15 October, says long-range missiles and drones caused 53% of civilian casualties in September (165 killed, 1,119 injured), and short-range drones a further 23% (87 killed, 475 injured).

Verification and limits

The mission verified 18 deaths and 44 injuries in Russian-occupied territory. Russian authorities reported at least 87 killed and 436 injured there, and at least 53 killed and 462 injured inside Russia; HRMMU says it could not verify the vast majority of such allegations, citing a lack of access and independent information.

Early October and winter risks

Commenting on 16 October, mission head Danielle Bell said: “The first two weeks of October were among the deadliest periods for civilians in years.” UN News, reporting her remarks, cited an attack on the night of 6 to 7 October in Pryluky, Chernihiv region, that killed 22 civilians and injured 45. On 13 and 14 October strikes hit energy facilities including Kyiv’s three main power stations, leaving about 600,000 people in the capital temporarily without electricity, according to Ukrainian authorities. Bell warned that attacking electricity and heating systems as winter approaches is “bound to inflict significant suffering on the civilian population.”

The International Organization for Migration said about 1.45 million returnees live in frontline districts and that only 32% of households could heat their homes adequately last winter. It said less than 7% of its 2026 crisis response plan for Ukraine is funded.

The IAEA, for its part, reported an eighth localised ceasefire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant starting on 15 October to allow repairs to a damaged backup transformer. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned that diesel at the site is running low, with no deliveries since March 2026.

Background

Earlier coverage of the Pryluky strike is in Ukraine: At least 20 dead in Pryluky after a Russian cruise missile hits an apartment block; dozens of casualties across the country. The full figures are in the HRMMU September 2026 civilian harm update.