Cluster bomb casualties worldwide reach near-record levels in 2025
A new report from the Cluster Munition Coalition records at least 1,063 deaths and injuries from cluster munitions in 2025, one of the highest annual totals ever. Civilians account for most victims, with Ukraine suffering 87 percent of all casualties for the fourth straight year. The actual figure is likely higher due to unreported incidents, and the weapons remain dangerous long after use.
The 2010 Convention on Cluster Munitions, born from the Oslo Process, currently has 112 states parties. Lithuania became the first nation to withdraw in March, while the US and Russia jointly opposed the annual UN resolution for the first time in December.
Reports indicate new production in nine countries, with the US planning future output. Unverified uses were noted in several conflicts. Furthermore, reduced US foreign assistance hampered clearance efforts, directly contributing to at least 117 deaths and injuries in 2025.
The persistently high casualty rate, especially in Ukraine, could deepen humanitarian crises in affected regions. Reduced clearance funding may leave unexploded ordnance dangerous for decades, disproportionately harming farmers and children. The growing political resistance to the convention, evidenced by the US-Russia vote and Lithuania's exit, may weaken international norms, potentially encouraging broader future use of these indiscriminate weapons.