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Explosive violence by the Russian armed forces

Over the past decade (2014-2023), AOAV has recorded 4,737 incidents of explosive weapons use attributed to Russia. The Russian armed forces are the reported perpetrators of 21,253 civilian casualties (7,074 killed), and 3,910 armed actor casualties (2,980).

Attacks attributed to the Russian armed forces have been recorded in Ukraine (16,911 civilian casualties), Syria (4,339), and Russia (3).

Ground-launched weapons account for 55% (11,598) of civilian casualties attributed to Russia, and air-launched weapons for 33% (6,969).

The majority of civilian casualties were recorded in Russian attacks across multiple urban locations, which account for 32% (6,754) of civilian casualties. Other locations impacted by attacks attributed to the Russian armed forces include urban residential areas (6,660 civilian casualties), villages (2,542), entertainment venues (684), schools (501), and town centres (440).

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7 Jul 2026

Six in 10 Russian billionaires are still not being sanctioned by the UK Government

A series of billionaires with ties to Britain remain untouched by the UK’s supposedly tough sanctions regime.

18 Jan 2026

Russia’s Dirty Dozen: an examination of Russian explosive weapons used in Ukraine

AOAV has rounded up 12 Russian weapons – Russia’s ‘dirty dozen’ – that have been linked to deadly attacks against the civilian population of Ukraine.

17 Jun 2025

Putin’s wartime arsenal: inside Russia’s re-industrialised war machine

More than three years into its war on Ukraine, Russia has retooled its economy into a militarised juggernaut, sustaining its campaign through mass mobilisation, industrial scale, and strategic partnerships, while Western sanctions falter and peace remains distant.

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11 Apr 2025

Q&A: the Patriot Air Defense System in Ukraine – a briefing note

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine persists, the Patriot Air Defense System plays a key role in Ukraine's defence strategy, but challenges such as limited missile stocks, high costs, and system delivery challenges mean protecting civilians from Russian missile threats is not easy

25 Mar 2025

Ukraine: At least 99 injured by missile strike in northeastern city of Sumy

On Monday 24 March, a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy injured 99 civilians, including 23 children. The attack comes amid ongoing talks between Russian and US delegates in Saudi Arabia regarding a possible ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia.

20 Nov 2024

Russia’s land-based missile arsenal: a brief explainer

Russia's expanded missile production capabilities and updated nuclear doctrine significantly lower the threshold for nuclear use, escalating global security concerns amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

4 Nov 2024

Intensified bombardment in Ukraine demands immediate action to protect civilians

The intensification of Russian bombardments in Ukraine since July 2024, particularly in civilian areas, has caused a sharp rise in civilian casualties and widespread destruction of essential infrastructure, calling for immediate international action to protect civilians from the continued use of explosive weapons.

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1 Nov 2024

The war from above: Russia’s murderous drone campaign on Ukraine

Drone warfare in Kherson, Ukraine, has transformed civilian areas into high-risk zones, dramatically impacting daily life and raising significant legal and ethical concerns.

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30 Oct 2024

An alarming expansion: the geopolitical implications of North Korea’s troop deployment to Ukraine

The deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia in Ukraine marks a perilous expansion of the conflict, signaling a potential shift towards a wider geopolitical crisis.

25 Sep 2024

Ukraine: 4 civilians killed and at least 35 injured by Russian airstrikes targeting Kharkiv city

On 24 September, at around 3:30 p.m. local time, the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, located in the Kharkiv region, was hit by numerous Russian airstrikes on several densely populated neighbourhoods, killing 3 people, and injuring at least 35 others.

20 Sep 2024

Civilian casualties in Ukraine surge by 28% over six months, AOAV reports

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, civilian casualties have surged, with a 28% increase over the past six months alone, leaving over 27,000 civilians dead or injured, many in heavily populated areas.

15 Sep 2024

Long-range missiles: a necessary defence for Ukraine or a dangerous escalation?

While Ukraine's use of long-range missiles like Storm Shadow is argued as vital for defence, a cautious approach is necessary to prevent civilian harm and avoid provoking a dangerous escalation with Russia.