Civilian casualties in Ukraine reach highest level since war began
Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities have driven civilian casualties to the highest level since the start of the war, forcing families to seek shelter underground.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities have driven civilian casualties to the highest level since the start of the war, forcing families to seek shelter underground. In one of the deadliest waves of attacks, at least 21 people were killed, 17 of them in the capital and its surroundings. The strikes came as Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, appealed to allies to step up supplies of air defence missiles, saying lives were being lost because of a shortage of interceptors.
The intensity of Russian attacks has surged. Analysis of Ukrainian Air Force data shows missile launches up 83 per cent over the last 31 days compared with the same period a year earlier. At the same time, the proportion of incoming missiles intercepted by Ukraine fell from two-thirds to just under half. In the latest barrage, 28 ballistic missiles were fired, none of them intercepted.
In Kyiv, residents have grown used to nightly air raid sirens and the sound of explosions. Many now descend into Soviet era metro stations built to withstand nuclear war. There, families, couples and people with pets huddle together, some sleeping in tents, until the all clear sounds. One resident described the experience as her scariest night in five years.
The UK's new defence secretary visited Kyiv after the attacks and held talks with President Zelensky. He offered moral support but no guarantees, saying it was his job to mobilise the international community to step up. Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued to take the fight to Russia, striking warehouses owned by a major Russian online retailer. At least 20 such warehouses have been attacked since mid July. Russia has also suffered casualties from Ukrainian drone strikes, including seven holidaymakers killed at a beach.
The war has entered a new phase, with both sides ramping up attacks. Vladimir Putin has shuffled his military leadership, appointing a new head of drone forces. But for the people of Ukraine, the immediate concern is the vulnerability of their skies and the prospect of more nervous nights ahead.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One | Sky News |
|---|---|---|
| 21 people were killed in a wide-scale attack, including eight on a railway platform in a Kyiv suburb. | · | |
| A single hour-long attack on Kyiv involved 40 ballistic missiles. | · | |
| People in Kyiv are forced to seek shelter in underground metro stations almost every night. | · | |
| Russian missile and drone strikes have increased in recent months, with civilian deaths in July reaching the highest level since the war began. | · | |
| Russian missile launches against Ukraine increased by 83 percent over the last 30 days compared with the same period in 2025. | · | |
| Ukraine intercepted just under half of incoming missiles, down from two-thirds. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC focused on the political and military dimensions, including Zelensky's appeal for air defence, the UK defence secretary's visit, and detailed statistics on missile launches and interception rates. It also covered Ukraine's counterattacks on Russian infrastructure, giving a broader strategic picture.
- “Today we are facing a clear shortage”
- “It was so scary. I must say this was my scariest night”
- “We've been looking very closely at Ukraine's requirements”
Sky News focused on the human experience of the bombardment, with vivid on-the-ground reporting from Kyiv. It highlighted the nightly sirens, the use of underground metro stations as shelters, and the resilience of Ukrainian civilians. The tone was more emotional and immersive, less focused on political details.
- “The Ukrainian people are made of steel, made of steel.”
- “This has been a massive attack. 40 ballistic missiles rained down on Kiev in an hour.”
- “People are having to come underground pretty much every night, year after year.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.