In total there have been 53,006 civilian casualties, including 14,534 deaths, since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Frontline communities remain most at risk, largely due to long-range missile and drone attacks, which account for 65 percent of deaths and injuries, particularly in the Kherson, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.
“At least 148 civilians were killed and 929 injured in October, reflecting the high numbers of the previous two months,” the UN monitoring mission stressed.
Growing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
Meanwhile, almost four years after the war, Ukraine is facing intensified attacks on energy infrastructure.
New strikes on the power grid occurred in October and November, causing new blackouts across the country.
Last month, three large-scale attacks targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing emergency power outages across much of the country.
“As civilians in Ukraine approach another winter, increased attacks on energy infrastructure and subsequent power outages increase risks to the population,” said Danielle Bell, head of the monitoring mission.
“Any prolonged interruption to the supply of heat, electricity or water would create extreme hardship, especially for older people, people with disabilities, families with young children and women, who often have the primary responsibility for caring for and ensuring access to essential needs for their families,” he added.
The UN and its partners continue to work closely with people on the ground to deliver vital aid to the most affected communities.