More civilians were killed in Ukraine in June than in any other month since April 2022 as Russia stepped up its long-range missile attacks, the United Nations said on Tuesday (July 14).&nbsp;The UN said Russia has intensified strikes on densely populated cities in recent months, taking advantage of Ukraine's shortage of air defence missiles. The attacks have particularly affected the capital, Kyiv.&nbsp;According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at least 293 civilians were killed, and 1,990 were injured during June 2026.&nbsp;"At least 293 civilians were killed and 1,990 injured in Ukraine in June 2026," the mission said.&nbsp;The UN said June recorded the highest monthly civilian death toll since April 2022, the second full month after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;"The increase was driven largely by long-range attacks by the Russian Federation, which mainly affected urban centres far from the frontline," the UN added.&nbsp;During the first six months of 2026, the number of verified civilian deaths in Ukraine reached 1,396, marking a 37 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. The figure was also more than double that recorded in 2024.&nbsp;The report also noted that Russian authorities reported 250 civilian deaths inside Russia during the first six months of 2026, a 121 per cent rise from a year earlier.&nbsp;Overall, the United Nations has verified 16,431 civilian deaths in Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022, including 803 children.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/acts-of-violence-india-lodges-strong-protest-over-hormuz-strikes-calls-for-end-to-attacks-on-commercial-vessels-1784024780401">'Acts of violence': India lodges strong protest over Hormuz strikes, calls for end to attacks on commercial vessels</a><h3>Military casualties cross two million, says CSIS</h3>Earlier, a study US based think tank found that combined military casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war have crossed two million since the conflict began on February 24, 2022.&nbsp;The report estimated that Russia has suffered between 1.4 million military casualties, including those killed, wounded and missing. Of these, around 400,000 to 450,000 Russian troops are estimated to have been killed.&nbsp;"Combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties have exceeded 2 million," the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said.&nbsp;The study estimated Ukraine's military casualties at between 525,000 and 625,000, including an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 deaths.&nbsp;The CSIS report further noted that "Russian fatalities in Ukraine are more than four times greater than all US fatalities in all wars combined since World War II," while adding that the ratio of Russian to Ukrainian casualties has likely risen to around 8 to 1 during the first half of this year.

The findings come as Russia has stepped up missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, with the UN reporting a sharp increase in verified civilian deaths and injuries during the first half of 2026.

More civilians were killed in Ukraine in June than in any other month since April 2022 as Russia stepped up its long-range missile attacks, the United Nations said on Tuesday (July 14). The UN said Russia has intensified strikes on densely populated cities in recent months, taking advantage of Ukraine's shortage of air defence missiles. The attacks have particularly affected the capital, Kyiv. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at least 293 civilians were killed, and 1,990 were injured during June 2026. "At least 293 civilians were killed and 1,990 injured in Ukraine in June 2026," the mission said. The UN said June recorded the highest monthly civilian death toll since April 2022, the second full month after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. "The increase was driven largely by long-range attacks by the Russian Federation, which mainly affected urban centres far from the frontline," the UN added. During the first six months of 2026, the number of verified civilian deaths in Ukraine reached 1,396, marking a 37 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. The figure was also more than double that recorded in 2024. The report also noted that Russian authorities reported 250 civilian deaths inside Russia during the first six months of 2026, a 121 per cent rise from a year earlier. Overall, the United Nations has verified 16,431 civilian deaths in Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022, including 803 children. Also Read: 'Acts of violence': India lodges strong protest over Hormuz strikes, calls for end to attacks on commercial vessels Military casualties cross two million, says CSIS Earlier, a study US based think tank found that combined military casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war have crossed two million since the conflict began on February 24, 2022. The report estimated that Russia has suffered between 1.4 million military casualties, including those killed, wounded and missing. Of these, around 400,000 to 450,000 Russian troops are estimated to have been killed. "Combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties have exceeded 2 million," the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said. The study estimated Ukraine's military casualties at between 525,000 and 625,000, including an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 deaths. The CSIS report further noted that "Russian fatalities in Ukraine are more than four times greater than all US fatalities in all wars combined since World War II," while adding that the ratio of Russian to Ukrainian casualties has likely risen to around 8 to 1 during the first half of this year.

The findings come as Russia has stepped up missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, with the UN reporting a sharp increase in verified civilian deaths and injuries during the first half of 2026.

June records highest civilian death toll in Ukraine in over four years: UN

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are ready to end the war after holding separate conversations with the two leaders.&nbsp;"I think they both want to make a deal," Trump told journalists after arriving in Ankara for the NATO summit.&nbsp;"We had a long talk; it lasted a long time. ‌And I also spoke with President Zelenskyy right after that. I think they both want to make a deal. ... I think we're going ‌to get it settled, hopefully soon."&nbsp;Trump's comments followed a lengthy phone call with Putin on Sunday. According to the Kremlin, the US president offered to help find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Zelensky also confirmed that he spoke with Trump, saying they discussed the war's roughly 1,200-kilometre frontline and describing the conversation as "very good."&nbsp;Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet on Wednesday during the NATO summit. The meeting comes after Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russia's energy sector, while Moscow launched large-scale strikes that killed 50 people in Ukraine's capital in July alone.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-28-000-russian-troops-killed-in-june-zelensky-pitches-ukraine-s-nato-membership-to-boost-alliance-capabilities-1783432931953">'Nearly 28,000 Russian troops killed in June': Zelensky pitches Ukraine's NATO membership to boost alliance capabilities</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Zelensky renewed his call for Ukraine to become a member of NATO, arguing that the country's experienced military would make the alliance stronger. He also urged NATO members to provide more support for Ukraine's air defences, saying the country urgently needs additional interceptor missiles to counter Russian attacks.&nbsp;Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Zelensky said, "Today, we defend against hundreds and hundreds of attack drones every day, and thousands and thousands every week and every month. Ukraine’s defence sector is building that capability even in the middle of a full-scale war."&nbsp;"Do you really believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" Zelensky said in a speech on the sidelines of the summit.

Trump's remarks came after a lengthy call with Putin, during which the Kremlin said he offered to help find a diplomatic solution. Zelensky also confirmed speaking with Trump, calling their discussion on the war's 1,200-kilometre frontline "very good."

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are ready to end the war after holding separate conversations with the two leaders. "I think they both want to make a deal," Trump told journalists after arriving in Ankara for the NATO summit. "We had a long talk; it lasted a long time. ‌And I also spoke with President Zelenskyy right after that. I think they both want to make a deal. ... I think we're going ‌to get it settled, hopefully soon." Trump's comments followed a lengthy phone call with Putin on Sunday. According to the Kremlin, the US president offered to help find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Zelensky also confirmed that he spoke with Trump, saying they discussed the war's roughly 1,200-kilometre frontline and describing the conversation as "very good." Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet on Wednesday during the NATO summit. The meeting comes after Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russia's energy sector, while Moscow launched large-scale strikes that killed 50 people in Ukraine's capital in July alone. Also Read: 'Nearly 28,000 Russian troops killed in June': Zelensky pitches Ukraine's NATO membership to boost alliance capabilities Meanwhile, Zelensky renewed his call for Ukraine to become a member of NATO, arguing that the country's experienced military would make the alliance stronger. He also urged NATO members to provide more support for Ukraine's air defences, saying the country urgently needs additional interceptor missiles to counter Russian attacks. Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Zelensky said, "Today, we defend against hundreds and hundreds of attack drones every day, and thousands and thousands every week and every month. Ukraine’s defence sector is building that capability even in the middle of a full-scale war." "Do you really believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" Zelensky said in a speech on the sidelines of the summit.

Trump's remarks came after a lengthy call with Putin, during which the Kremlin said he offered to help find a diplomatic solution. Zelensky also confirmed speaking with Trump, calling their discussion on the war's 1,200 kilometre frontline "very good."

Both Russia and Ukraine want to 'settle' war: Trump at NATO summit in Ankara

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (Jun 18) blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the conflict, saying that Russians must feel that “one man, Putin” is “waging this war”. This comes after Kyiv launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, striking a major oil refinery for the second time in a week and forcing evacuations of the country’s largest airport.“The main thing is that the people of Russia begin to feel that it is one man, Putin, who is waging this war, while ordinary people pay the price for everything,” Zelensky told reporters.Videos from the Ukrainain drone attacks on the Russian capital showed massive fires and thick columns of smoke over the Moscow skyline. The strikes came at a time when Putin hosted Southeast Asian leaders at Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the central city of Kazan, about 700 kilometres (435 miles) east of the capital.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Last night, our long-range sanctions once again reached the Moscow region – for the second time this week, the Moscow oil refinery was hit. Targets were also struck in the Rostov region and in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This is a fully justified response to… <a href="https://t.co/NhFl4FlT9L">pic.twitter.com/NhFl4FlT9L</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2067502764159062213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Eyewitness footage shows flames and thick plumes of smoke rising from Moscow&#39;s southeastern Kapotnya district, home to the city&#39;s oil refinery<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#flames</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/smoke?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#smoke</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/moscow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#moscow</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/kapotnya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kapotnya</a> <a href="https://t.co/win1Kv9taT">pic.twitter.com/win1Kv9taT</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067536044741038499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/switzerland-confirms-us-iran-talks-on-friday-after-tehran-expresses-doubt-1781768092244">Switzerland confirms US-Iran talks on Friday after Tehran expresses doubt</a>Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram, “Several drones managed to reach the MNPZ (Moscow Oil Refinery).” He did not specify the damage to the facility. Another drone crased in an apartment building in the Moscow region district of Zhukovsky. Moscow region governor Andrey Vorobyov said that rone debris also triggered a fire at a shopping centre near the capital’s suburbs.<h2>‘Fully justified response’</h2>In a post on X, Zelensky said that the attack was a “fully justified response” to the Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. In the attack, Ukrainian forces struck the Moscow oil refinery. Attacks also targeted the Rostov region and “temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.”“Last night, our long-range sanctions once again reached the Moscow region – for the second time this week, the Moscow oil refinery was hit. Targets were also struck in the Rostov region and in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” Zelensky said of the attack.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unfair-for-them-not-to-have-some-trump-says-iran-can-have-ballistic-missiles-as-peace-deal-takes-effect-1781755731618">‘Unfair for them not to have some’: Trump says Iran can have ballistic missiles as peace deal takes effect</a>He added, “This is a fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities, and another important result of our warriors’ work against facilities that sustain Russia’s war machine.”He also urged Russia to take steps for diplomacy, saying, “In recent days, all of our partners have noted the precision and effectiveness of our mid-range strikes and long-range sanctions. It is time the war ended, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy.”

Zelensky blamed Putin for the war after Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, hitting an oil refinery and other targets. He called the strikes a justified response to Russian attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (Jun 18) blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the conflict, saying that Russians must feel that “one man, Putin” is “waging this war”. This comes after Kyiv launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, striking a major oil refinery for the second time in a week and forcing evacuations of the country’s largest airport. “The main thing is that the people of Russia begin to feel that it is one man, Putin, who is waging this war, while ordinary people pay the price for everything,” Zelensky told reporters. Videos from the Ukrainain drone attacks on the Russian capital showed massive fires and thick columns of smoke over the Moscow skyline. The strikes came at a time when Putin hosted Southeast Asian leaders at Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the central city of Kazan, about 700 kilometres (435 miles) east of the capital.

Zelensky blamed Putin for the war after Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, hitting an oil refinery and other targets. He called the strikes a justified response to Russian attacks.

‘Fully justified response’: Zelensky blames Putin after massive strike on Moscow oil refinery | WATCH

ukraine-strike-russia

Ukraine Strike Russia, News on Ukraine Strike Russia, stories on Ukraine Strike Russia, articles on Ukraine Strike Russia, Ukraine Strike Russia stories at Wion, Ukraine Strike Russia news, Ukraine Strike Russia latest news

ukraine strike-russia

June records highest civilian death toll in Ukraine in over four years: UN

Both Russia and Ukraine want to 'settle' war: Trump at NATO summit in Ankara

‘Fully justified’: Zelensky blames Putin after massive strike on Moscow refinery