RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The human toll and humanitarian crisis of the Russia-Ukraine war: the first 162 days
JF BMJ Global Health
JO BMJ Global Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e009550
DO 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009550
VO 7
IS 9
A1 Ubydul Haque
A1 Amna Naeem
A1 Shanshan Wang
A1 Juan Espinoza
A1 Irina Holovanova
A1 Taras Gutor
A1 Dimitry Bazyka
A1 Rebeca Galindo
A1 Sadikshya Sharma
A1 Igor P Kaidashev
A1 Dmytro Chumachenko
A1 Svyatoslav Linnikov
A1 Esther Annan
A1 Jailos Lubinda
A1 Natalya Korol
A1 Kostyantyn Bazyka
A1 Liliia Zhyvotovska
A1 Andriy Zimenkovsky
A1 Uyen-Sa D T Nguyen
YR 2022
UL http://gh.bmj.com/content/7/9/e009550.abstract
AB Background We examined the human toll and subsequent humanitarian crisis resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022.Method We extracted and analysed data resulting from Russian military attacks on Ukrainians between 24 February and 4 August 2022. The data tracked direct deaths and injuries, damage to healthcare infrastructure and the impact on health, the destruction of residences, infrastructure, communication systems, and utility services – all of which disrupted the lives of Ukrainians.Results As of 4 August 2022, 5552 civilians were killed outright and 8513 injured in Ukraine as a result of Russian attacks. Local officials estimate as many as 24 328 people were also killed in mass atrocities, with Mariupol being the largest (n=22 000) such example. Aside from wide swaths of homes, schools, roads, and bridges destroyed, hospitals and health facilities from 21 cities across Ukraine came under attack. The disruption to water, gas, electricity, and internet services also extended to affect supplies of medications and other supplies owing to destroyed facilities or production that ceased due to the war. The data also show that Ukraine saw an increase in cases of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and Coronavirus (COVID-19).Conclusions The 2022 Russia-Ukraine War not only resulted in deaths and injuries but also impacted the lives and safety of Ukrainians through destruction of healthcare facilities and disrupted delivery of healthcare and supplies. The war is an ongoing humanitarian crisis given the continuing destruction of infrastructure and services that directly impact the well-being of human lives. The devastation, trauma and human cost of war will impact generations of Ukrainians to come.Data are available upon reasonable request.