Short-range drone strikes were responsible for the most civilian casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war last month, with the U.N.’s Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine noting an uptick in civilian deaths as drones become more common.

In a report released Tuesday, HRMMU said at least 139 civilians had been killed and 738 had been injured in Ukraine in January. About 30% of civilian deaths and injuries came from explosives dropped from short-range drones.

The casualties recorded by HRMMU increased by 27% from January 2024 and 39% from December 2024.

According to the U.N. mission, most civilian casualties occurred near the war’s front line, with most occurring in strikes on civilian vehicles and public transportation. The vast majority of civilian deaths occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine.

The short-range drones are known as “first-person-view” devices that provide operators with real-time footage of potential targets. In theory, this would help distinguish civilians from enemy combatants.

However, HRMMU says civilian casualties have grown as short-range drones have been introduced onto the battlefield in Ukraine.

“Our data shows a clear and disturbing pattern of short-range drones being used in ways that put civilians at grave risk,” HRMMU chief Daniell Bell said. “The on-board cameras should allow operators to distinguish with a higher degree of certainty between civilians and military objectives, yet civilians continue to be killed in alarming numbers.”

Civilian casualties from short-range drones have spiked dramatically over the past six months, according to HRMMU data. In June 2024, civilian deaths attached to short-range drones sat at 9 and injuries at 64. One month later, deaths from drones doubled to 18, with the mission recording 159 injuries.

HRMMU’s numbers come after a heavy drone month in the Russia-Ukraine war. In January, Ukraine and Russia’s armed forces conducted massive drone assaults on key infrastructure, with Ukraine striking oil facilities inside Russia.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.