Investigation Reveals Discrepancies In Death Toll Reported By Russian Officials

Russian Occupation Authorities Vastly Undercounted Dead in Ukraine Flooding

Investigation Reveals Discrepancies in Death Toll Reported by Russian Officials

Kyiv School of Economics Estimates Direct Losses Exceed $2 Billion

Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine have been accused of vastly and deliberately undercounting the death toll from flooding in the country's southern regions. An investigation by the Associated Press (AP) found that the official figures released by Russian officials were significantly lower than those reported by Ukrainian authorities and independent sources. According to the Internal Affairs Ministry, the death toll in Ukrainian-controlled areas has risen to five. However, the Kyiv School of Economics, in conjunction with the Ukrainian government, estimates that the true death toll is much higher, with direct losses exceeding $2 billion. The Russian-installed mayor of Nova Kakhovka initially reported that only five people had died in the flooding. However, the AP investigation revealed that the actual death toll is believed to be significantly higher. The AP investigation comes amid growing concerns about the undercounting of civilian casualties in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. Human rights groups have accused Russian forces of deliberately targeting civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure, leading to a significant loss of life.