In 2025, the total number of civilian casualties was 31 percent higher than in 2024 and 70 percent higher than in 2023, with more than 15,000 civilians killed since the conflict began.
The beginning of 2026 has marked a continuation of this trend, according to the latest HRMMU report.
Torture, executions and sexual violence
“Serious violations of international humanitarian law continue to be committed with impunity, especially by the Russian authorities,” he said.
The violations include Widespread and systematic use of torture and ill-treatment. of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, as well as sexual violence and executions. The report also documented an increase in executions of captured Ukrainian soldiers in November and December 2025.
“We have seen virtually There are no efforts to prevent such violations or hold perpetrators accountable.”, Ms. Bell emphasized, “victims must have the right to a remedy: access to justice, reparation for the harm they have suffered and to know the truth regarding these violations.”
Energy strikes add to the displacement crisis
Continued attacks on energy infrastructure continue to harm the living conditions of millions of people struggling with -20°C temperatures and displacement.
While 4.4 million refugees have returned from displacement since the start of the war (progress has been halted in recent winter months due to 3.7 million people remain displaced in Ukraine, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Similarly, as living conditions deteriorate following Russian attacks on energy facilities, nearly 400,000 refugees who have returned to Ukraine from abroad remain internally displaced within the country.
According to the IOM report, unmet needs exceeded 90 percent in some frontline regions and more than 300,000 returnees considered leaving their current location in the next three months.
“After four years of war, Resilience alone cannot sustain families through another winter of power outages and freezing temperatures.”said IOM Director General Amy Pope.
Committed returns “earned with effort”
Without adequate assistance, continued energy disruptions risk causing further displacement and “undermining hard-earned returns”, Ms Pope said.
Since 2022, IOM has provided a large-scale national response to the Ukraine crisis, supporting up to 6.9 million people within the country, directly and indirectly, as well as millions more in 11 neighboring countries.
To prevent further displacement, IOM urges the international community to scale up winter preparedness, housing repair, livelihood support and integrated mental health and psychosocial services, particularly in frontline and high-return areas.