**Cluster Munitions Kill, Wound Over 1,000 Globally in 2025**
A recent report from the Cluster Munition Coalition has revealed that cluster munitions caused at least 1,063 deaths and injuries worldwide in 2025, marking one of the highest annual casualty figures recorded. The report, published on September 9, 2026, highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis associated with these controversial weapons, which have disproportionately affected civilians, including at least 34 children.
The data indicates that Ukraine has been the epicenter of cluster munition-related casualties for the fourth consecutive year, accounting for an alarming 87% of the global total. The report notes that while the documented figures are significant, the actual number of casualties is likely higher due to underreporting in conflict zones. The highest recorded toll prior to this was in 2022, when 1,172 casualties were reported, a spike attributed to the escalation of the conflict following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Cluster munitions are designed to release multiple smaller explosive devices over a wide area, which can remain unexploded and pose long-term risks to civilian populations. This indiscriminate nature of the weapons has led to widespread condemnation and calls for their prohibition. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which took effect in 2010, aims to eliminate the use of these weapons and protect civilians from their effects. Currently, the convention has 112 states parties and 12 signatories, although Lithuania has notably become the first and only country to withdraw from the agreement as of March.
The report also details the use of cluster munitions by various nations, including Iran, Myanmar, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Mali, all of which are parties to the convention. Additionally, there have been unverified reports of usage by Israel and the United States in Iran, by Pakistan in Afghanistan, and by Houthi forces in Israel, as well as in Lebanon.
Evidence of new production of cluster munitions has been identified in several countries, including China, India, Israel, Myanmar, North Korea, Poland, Romania, Russia, and South Korea. The report suggests that the United States may also be planning new production of these munitions in the future.
The humanitarian impact of cluster munitions extends beyond immediate casualties. The report highlights that cuts in U.S. foreign assistance in the previous year have hampered efforts to clear remnants of cluster munitions, resulting in at least 117 deaths and injuries in 2025 alone. This disruption underscores the ongoing challenges faced by affected nations in addressing the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance.
In December, for the first time since the introduction of the annual resolution promoting the convention, both the United States and Russia voted against it in the United Nations General Assembly. This shift raises concerns about the future of international efforts to ban cluster munitions and protect civilian populations from their devastating effects.
As the global community grapples with the implications of cluster munitions, the findings of the Cluster Munition Coalition's report serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for continued advocacy and action to address the humanitarian crisis associated with these weapons. The increasing number of casualties, particularly among civilians, highlights the critical importance of enforcing existing treaties and promoting disarmament initiatives to prevent further loss of life and suffering.