Cluster munition casualties surge in 2025, civilians bear 87% of toll
The Cluster Munition Coalition reported that 1,063 people were killed or injured by cluster munitions in 2025, with civilians accounting for 87% of those casualties.
The Cluster Munition Coalition released its 2025 monitoring report, documenting 1,063 deaths and injuries caused by cluster munitions, one of the highest tallies on record. Fresh strikes were responsible for 946 casualties, while 117 resulted from leftover bomblets that failed to explode. Civilians comprised 87% of the total, with victims spread across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Russia and Ukraine; Ukraine alone suffered at least 927 casualties, topping global totals for the fourth year running.
The coalition highlighted continued use by Iran against Israel, ongoing deployments by Russia and Ukraine, and alleged but unverified use by other states, while noting new production in several countries, including Israel under a U.S. contract. Funding for clearance dropped after a U.S. assistance freeze in early 2025, affecting operations in Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan. The Third Review Conference on the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions convenes in Laos next week, amid concerns that the treaty’s gains are threatened by renewed use, transfers and reduced financial support.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same casualty figures, but left-leaning coverage emphasizes the humanitarian toll and calls for renewed treaty action, while right-leaning coverage stresses that the surge is driven by the Ukraine conflict and highlights weapon production by several states.
LEFT
Frames the story as a growing civilian humanitarian crisis that should spur united action to strengthen the ban treaty.
RIGHT
Frames the story as a conflict-driven increase in casualties, noting Ukraine’s role and the continued use and production of cluster munitions by non-signatory states.
The left emphasises
- civilians made up 87% of the toll, including many children
- the report likely under-counts casualties
- calls for united action among the 124 Convention-member countries
The right emphasises
- the surge is largely tied to the Ukraine conflict
- both Russia and Ukraine, plus other non-signatories, continue to use the weapons
- evidence of fresh production in nine nations such as China, Israel, and North Korea
