Short-Range Drones Emerge as Leading Cause of Ukrainian Civilian Casualties in March: UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine released its monthly report on April 10, 2026, stating that civilian casualties in Ukraine had increased significantly in March 2026, and short-range drones had become the weapon type causing the most civilian casualties, with the security situation in frontline areas remaining extremely serious.

According to the report, civilian casualties in March rose by 49% compared with the previous month. At least 211 civilians were killed and 1,206 others injured across the country. The upward trend continued into April, with at least 46 civilians killed and 343 injured in the first nine days of April alone.

Short-range drones were responsible for the highest number of civilian deaths in March, killing 66 civilians, more than any other type of weapon, and continued to cause casualties in early April. On April 4, a drone attack on a market in Nikopol, a frontline city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, killed five civilians and wounded at least 26. On April 7, a passenger bus was hit by a short-range drone, killing four civilians and injuring 17.

Civilian casualties caused by drones have risen sharply in recent years. In 2025, drone-related civilian casualties increased by 121% compared with 2024. In March 2026, 66 civilians were killed and 369 injured by drones, an increase of about 70% compared with 36 deaths and 220 injuries in March 2025.

Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, said frontline areas are extremely dangerous for civilians, and short-range drones have become the main threat. She noted that about half of the civilians killed in frontline areas last month were elderly people, many of whom were attacked while carrying out daily activities such as collecting pensions or working in their own yards.

Civilian casualties were recorded across 19 regions of Ukraine and the capital Kyiv, with 97% occurring in government-controlled areas.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine starting on February 24, 2022, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified at least 15,578 civilian deaths, including 784 children, and 43,352 injuries, including 2,668 children.