A devastating new report by the Cluster Munition Coalition reveals that cluster munitions killed or injured at least 1,063 people globally in 2025. Civilians, including children, bear the brunt of these indiscriminate weapons, with Ukraine accounting for 87% of all recorded casualties.
- Cluster munitions caused 1,063 casualties globally in 2025, marking one of the highest annual tolls on record.
- Ukraine remains the most heavily impacted nation, accounting for 87% of the global casualty toll.
- Major world powers, including the United States and Russia, voted against UN resolutions promoting the anti-cluster bomb treaty.
A grim milestone has been reached in international conflict zones. According to a comprehensive annual report produced by the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), cluster munitions killed or injured at least 1,063 people globally in 2025. This figure represents one of the highest annual casualty tolls on record, highlighting the persistent threat these controversial weapons pose to civilian populations.
The vast majority of the recorded casualties were civilians, including at least 34 children. Deaths and injuries from these indiscriminate explosives were documented across several nations, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Myanmar, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine. However, researchers warn that the actual number of casualties is likely significantly higher, as many incidents in remote conflict zones go unreported.
For the fourth consecutive year, Ukraine recorded the highest number of casualties, accounting for a staggering 87 percent of the global total in 2025. The highest overall toll since records began was established in 2022, when 1,172 casualties were documented following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the erosion of international norms surrounding cluster munitions poses a grave risk to global humanitarian efforts. The decision by major powers to bypass or actively vote against treaty resolutions signals a dangerous regression in civilian protection frameworks, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to long-term explosive remnants.
"The persistent use and production of cluster munitions by global superpowers undermine decades of humanitarian progress, leaving a deadly legacy for generations to come."
Cluster munitions consist of containers that open in mid-air, dispersing dozens or hundreds of smaller submunitions over a wide area. Because they scatter indiscriminately, they pose a severe threat to civilians during attacks. Furthermore, a significant percentage of these submunitions fail to explode on impact, effectively turning into landmines that remain highly volatile and dangerous for decades.
Adopted during the Oslo Process, the Convention on Cluster Munitions officially took effect in 2010. The treaty prohibits all use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of these weapons. While the convention has 112 states parties and 12 signatories, global solidarity weakened in March when Lithuania became the first and only country to formally withdraw from the treaty.
| Metric / Year | 2022 (Peak Year) | 2025 (Report Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Global Casualties | 1,172 | 1,063 |
| Ukraine's Share of Casualties | Highest Recorded | 87% of Global Total |
| Major Treaty Milestones | High global focus | Lithuania withdraws from Convention |
The CMC report highlighted that cluster munitions were actively used by nations such as Iran, Myanmar, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Mali—the latter being a state party to the convention. Additionally, evidence of new production was identified in several countries, including China, India, Israel, Myanmar, North Korea, Poland, Romania, Russia, and South Korea, with indications that the US plans future production as well.
Adding to the diplomatic setback, both the United States and Russia voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution promoting the convention in December—marking the first time both nations have opposed the resolution since its introduction. Furthermore, cuts in US foreign assistance last year disrupted critical clearance operations of unexploded remnants, directly contributing to at least 117 casualties in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Convention on Cluster Munitions?
It is an international treaty adopted in 2008 and enforced in 2010 that prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions due to their extreme civilian harm.
2. Why are cluster munitions so dangerous to civilians?
They disperse hundreds of small bomblets over vast areas. Many of these fail to detonate initially, remaining active on the ground as hidden hazards that can explode years after a conflict ends.
