Drones drive up Ukraine's civilian casualties to 12,300

MORE than 12,300 civilians have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the United Nations claimed yesterday. Its spokesman said there had been a sharp rise in casualties due to the use of drones, long-range missiles and glide bombs.

- By Mark Reynolds

At least 13 civilians were killed and 113 injured in the latest Russian aerial blitz on the south Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia this week, which left bodies in the street and rows of cars ablaze.

Russia, which is making gains in Ukraine's east, has led regular attacks on distant cities in recent months using such air weapons.

That contributed to a 30% rise in civilian deaths to 574 in Ukraine from last September to November compared with 2023, according to data from the UN.

Its deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif said more than 12,300 civilians had been killed in Ukraine including 650 children