The decline after 2015 is due to the kinetic phase of the conflict ending around that time. Low-intensity mutual shelling was carried out afterwards for the who

The decline after 2015 is due to the kinetic phase of the conflict ending around that time. Low-intensity mutual shelling was carried out afterwards for the whole duration of the conflict. The entire post-2015 period only accounts for 10.6% of all civilian deaths. The active phase of the Russian-backed insurrection was undeniably the most lethal & most destructive. The imbalance in casualties after the frontlines were frozen is an interesting observation. The post-2015 lines of contact ran roughly along the edges of the capital cities of the self-proclaimed rebel republics, as both entities failed to secure more viable & defensible borders. On the other hand, there were no comparable government-held settlements anywhere near the line of contact. In this situation, any kind of fighting would more adversely effect the side with the disadvantageous LoCs.