World · World News Bureau
Cluster munitions kill, wound over 1,000 globally in 2025
Cluster munitions caused more than 1,000 casualties worldwide in 2025, marking one of the highest annual tolls recorded. The figure underscores the persistent humanitarian threat posed by the controversial weapons.
LSN World News ·
Global casualties from cluster munitions reached 1,063 in 2025, according to a comprehensive report, placing the year among the deadliest on record for deaths and injuries caused by the indiscriminate weapons.
Cluster munitions scatter submunitions across wide areas, making them particularly dangerous to civilians long after conflicts end. Unexploded ordnance continues to threaten populations in affected regions, particularly in areas with ongoing or recent conflicts.
The toll reflects the continued use of cluster munitions despite their prohibition under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has been ratified by over 100 countries. However, major military powers including the United States, Russia, and China have not signed the agreement.
Humanitarian organizations have long advocated for a complete global ban on the weapons, citing their indiscriminate nature and the disproportionate impact on civilian populations. The 2025 casualty figures are likely to intensify calls for broader international compliance with cluster munitions restrictions.