124 Warcrimes – urbicide
Do you remember Kathargo? Learn about Urbicide: which towns serial killer Russia destroyed.
Ukraine is shelling its own towns 
Russia is a serial killer of towns in Ukraine and elsewhere
Urbicide is the deliberate destruction or annihilation of a city, its infrastructure, or its urban fabric, often as a strategy in warfare or conflict to undermine the social, cultural, or economic life of its inhabitants. The term combines “urban” and “-cide” (from Latin, meaning killing) and is used to describe acts like targeted bombings, sieges, or systematic dismantling of urban spaces, typically with political or ethnic motives.
Russia has a long history of destroying towns and killing civilians:
124.1 Kyiv, Kyivan Rus’ (now Ukraine) (1169)
Vladimir-Suzdal forces under Andrey Bogolyubsky sacked Kyiv, burning churches (e.g., Saint Sophia) and civilian areas to diminish its status as the Rus’ capital. Wikipedia
124.2 Kyiv, Kyivan Rus’ (now Ukraine) (1203)
Rurik Rostislavich (Vruchiy) and Olgovichi (Chernihiv), with Cumans, sacked Kyiv, destroying churches and markets to weaken its political role. Wikipedia
124.3 Tver, Grand Duchy of Tver (now Russia) (1327)
Muscovite forces under Ivan I, with Mongols, sacked Tver, burning homes and churches to cripple its rival status. Wikipedia
124.4 Novgorod, Novgorod Republic (now Russia) (1478)
Muscovite forces under Ivan III targeted Novgorod’s markets and cultural sites to erase its autonomy. Wikipedia
124.5 Kazan, Khanate of Kazan (now Russia) (1487)
Muscovite forces under Ivan III burned Kazan’s mosques and civilian quarters to weaken its Tatar political center. Wikipedia
124.6 Baturyn, Cossack Hetmanate (now Ukraine) (1708)
Muscovite forces under Alexander Menshikov, ordered by Peter I, razed Baturyn, burning churches and homes, massacring 9,000–15,000 inhabitants to crush Ukrainian autonomy. Wikipedia
124.7 Tashkent, Khanate of Kokand (now Uzbekistan) (1865)
Russian Empire forces stormed Tashkent, destroying mosques and homes to dismantle its regional hub status. Wikipedia
124.8 Samarkand, Emirate of Bukhara (now Uzbekistan) (1868)
Russian forces bombarded Samarkand, targeting Registan Square to assert imperial control. Wikipedia
124.9 Bukhara, Emirate of Bukhara (now Uzbekistan) (1868)
Russian forces bombarded Bukhara, damaging ~70% of the old city to subjugate it. Wikipedia
124.10 Baku, Azerbaijan (1918)
Bolshevik forces bombarded Baku, targeting civilian and cultural sites to secure control. Wikipedia
124.11 Warsaw, Poland (1944)
Soviet inaction enabled Nazi destruction of 85–90% of Warsaw to weaken Polish resistance. Wikipedia
124.12 Budapest, Hungary (1944–1945)
Soviet forces besieged Budapest, destroying ~80% of buildings to dislodge defenders. Wikipedia
124.13 Königsberg, Germany (now Kaliningrad, Russia) (1945)
Soviet forces bombarded Königsberg, destroying the historic center to eliminate German resistance. Wikipedia
124.14 Kabul, Afghanistan (1979–1989)
Soviet airstrikes targeted Kabul’s neighborhoods to suppress mujahideen. Wikipedia
124.15 Herat, Afghanistan (1979–1989)
Soviet forces bombed Herat, targeting historic sites to counter uprisings. Wikipedia
124.16 Grozny, Chechnya (1994–1996)
Russian forces bombarded Grozny, leveling civilian infrastructure to suppress separatists. Wikipedia
124.17 Grozny, Chechnya (1999–2000)
Russian carpet bombing reduced Grozny to rubble, targeting civilian areas. Wikipedia
124.18 Aleppo, Syria (2015–2016)
Russian airstrikes destroyed eastern Aleppo’s infrastructure to force rebel surrender. Wikipedia
124.19 Volnovakha, Ukraine (2022)
Russian forces indiscriminately shelled Volnovakha, destroying 90% of the city, including homes and schools, to disrupt its social fabric despite low strategic value. Wikipedia
124.20 Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine (2022)
Russian forces bombarded Sievierodonetsk, destroying over 80% of the city, including homes and cultural sites, to eliminate its role as a Ukrainian administrative hub. Wikipedia
124.21 Mariupol, Ukraine (2022)
Russian forces besieged and bombarded Mariupol, destroying homes, hospitals, and cultural sites, rendering the city largely uninhabitable. Wikipedia
124.22 Maryinka, Ukraine (2022–2023)
Russian forces reduced Maryinka to ruins through artillery and airstrikes, destroying all civilian infrastructure to break Ukraine’s defensive line. Wikipedia
124.23 Soledar, Ukraine (2022–2023)
Russian and Wagner forces destroyed Soledar’s residential and industrial areas, leaving rubble and disrupting its social and economic functions. Wikipedia
124.24 Bakhmut, Ukraine (2022–2023)
Russian forces destroyed over 80% of Bakhmut’s infrastructure, targeting civilian areas to capture it. Wikipedia