How Russia’s War Has Devastated Civilian Life in Ukraine

Bellingcat has documented extensive damage to civilian life and infrastructure in Ukraine since Russia's full invasion in February 2022, verifying over 2,500 incidents of civilian harm. This includes more than 1,100 residential structures, 300 schools, 170 healthcare sites, and 48 food infrastructure targets, often involving cluster munitions. The report details specific attacks, such as a March 2025 double-tap strike on a Krasnopillia hospital, which decimated local healthcare services. According to the UN, approximately 15,000 civilians have been killed and 40,600 injured by January 2026. These documented attacks illustrate a persistent pattern of targeting populated areas, severely impacting communities and necessitating over $500 billion for reconstruction, according to a February 2025 World Bank report.