At least 62 people were killed in a Russian airstrike on a school, on Saturday 7 May 2022. 90 people were using the school as a shelter in the village of Bilohorivka, and following the strike, 30 have been pulled from the rubble.
The airstrikes caused a fire to overtake the building, which was only extinguished after four hours. 30 people were eventually able to be evacuated, seven of whom were injured. Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, believes those who remained trapped under the rubble have most likely died. Rescue attempts have been made impossible due to constant shelling in the area.
Throughout the invasion of Ukraine, Putin has repeatedly denied targeting civilians, despite glaring evidence that civilian objects and residential neighbourhoods are being hit in air- and ground-launched attacks.
Out of a total of 277 recorded incidents of explosive violence perpetrated by Russia on Ukrainian soil, 34% (94) were reported in urban residential areas, 20% (55) in villages, 11% (30) across multiple urban areas. 3% (8) of incidents were reported in armed bases, 2% (5) in roads, and 2% (5) in transport-related infrastructure.
29% (614) of casualties attributed to Russian explosive violence (including armed actors) have been reported in urban residential areas, and 18% (520) across multiple urban areas. Armed bases reportedly account for 12% (347) of total casualties, transport-related infrastructure for 6% (165) of total casualties, and roads for <1% (10).
Since 2010, AOAV has recorded 5, 179 incidents of explosive violence in urban residential areas, 4, 248 in villages, and 2, 324 across multiple urban areas. 2, 286 incidents of explosive violence have been recorded in armed bases since 2010.
46, 087 casualties (including armed actors) have been reported in urban residential areas since 2010, and 41, 220 in armed bases.
Photo credit: Serhii Haidai, Telegram.
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