In June 2025, Action on Armed Violence recorded 6,821 deaths and injuries from 732 incidents of explosive violence around the world, as reported in English-language media. Civilians accounted for 95% (6,479) of the deaths and injuries recorded.
In instances where explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 96% of casualties (6,440) were civilians, as opposed to 43% (74) in lesser-populated areas.
Manufactured explosive weapons accounted for 89% (5,773) of civilian casualties, while improvised explosive weapons (IEDs) accounted for 4% (268) of these civilian casualties in June 2025.
Of the main launch-method types of manufactured explosive weapons, air-launched explosive weapons accounted for 48% (3,117) of civilian casualties, ground-launched weapons were responsible for 34% (2,185) of civilian casualties, and mines were responsible for less than 1% (21) of civilian casualties.
At least one death or injury from the use of explosive weapons was recorded in 23 countries and territories in June 2025. The five most affected countries and territories in terms of civilian casualties from the use of explosive weapons were Gaza (2,480 civilian casualties), Ukraine (1,821), Israel (698), Iran (591) and Sudan (256).
GAZA
In June 2025, there were 281 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Gaza, 264 of which caused 2,480 civilian casualties, 1,250 of whom were killed and 1,230 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 94 children, 26 women and 32 men. Overall, civilians accounted for 98% of all 2,537 casualties recorded in Gaza in June, as there were also 57 reported armed-actor casualties, 31 of whom were killed and 26 injured.
All 2,480 civilian casualties occurred in populated areas:
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Urban residential areas | 39% (977) |
| Humanitarian infrastructure | 35% (869) |
| Encampment | 20% (499) |
| School | 3% (69) |
| Place of worship | 1% (28) |
| Multiple (urban) | >1% (12) |
| Entertainment | >1%(11) |
| Hospital | >1% (10) |
| Other | >1% (2) |
| Public building | >1% (2) |
| Market | >1% (1) |
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Gaza in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| South | 974 |
| North | 581 |
| Central | 277 |
All civilian casualties were attributed to state actor use of explosive weapons, specifically Israel.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Air launched weapons | 61% of civilian casualties:Air strikes (1,504)Air-launched missiles (3) |
| Ground launched weapons | 38% of civilian casualties Non-specific shelling (566)Tank shelling (280)Artillery shelling (107) |
| Weapons of unclear launch method | 1% of civilian casualtiesMissiles (15) |
The number of civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Gaza in June 2025 increased compared to levels recorded in May, as Israel has continued to intensify its bombardment of Gaza. AOAV recorded 395 incidents in May, which caused 2,301 civilian casualties, 1,502 of whom were killed and 799 injured. In April, 320 incidents were recorded, which caused 1,560 civilian casualties (1,137 killed, 423 injured).
UKRAINE
In June 2025, there were 261 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine, 259 of which caused 1,821 civilian casualties, 244 of whom were killed and 1,577 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 107 children, 91 women and 101 men. Overall, civilians accounted for 99% of all 1,832 casualties recorded in Ukraine in June, as there were also 11 reported armed-actor casualties, all of whom were injured.
99.6% (1,088) of civilian casualties occurred in populated areas:
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Urban residential areas | 71% (1,294) |
| Multiple (urban) | 24% (436) |
| Village | 2% (28) |
| School | 2% (19) |
| Entertainment | 1% (17) |
| Humanitarian infrastructure | 1% (15) |
| Public transport | >1% (5) |
| Hotel | >1% (1) |
The oblasts in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine in June:
| Oblast | Civilian casualties |
| Dnipropetrovsk | 428 |
| Kyiv | 291 |
| Kharkiv | 264 |
| Kherson | 252 |
| Donetsk | 221 |
| Odesa | 108 |
| Sumy | 86 |
| Zaporizhizhia | 64 |
| Chernihiv | 50 |
| Volyn | 17 |
| Mykolaiv | 12 |
| Cherkasy | 11 |
| Ternopil | 10 |
| Poltava | 4 |
| Ivano Frankvisk | 1 |
| Khmelnytsky | 1 |
| Rivne | 1 |
The majority of recorded civilian casualties (99.6%) were attributed to state actor use of explosive weapons, specifically Russia (1,814 civilian casualties). Actors of unknown name and status caused less than 1% (7) of civilian casualties.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Air launched weapons | 37% of civilian casualties:Air strikes (666)Air-dropped bombs (11) |
| Combined explosive weapons | 24% of civilian casualties (445) |
| Weapons of unclear launch method | 4% of civilian casualties Missiles (408) |
| Ground launched weapons | 16% of civilian casualties Non-specific shelling (206)Ground-launched rockets (35)Artillery shelling (32)Grenades (8)Ground-launched missiles (5) |
| Mine | >1% of civilian casualties Landmine (4) |
| IEDs | >1% of civilian casualtiesCar bomb (1) |
The number of civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in June 2025 increased compared to levels recorded in May, when 230 incidents caused 1,100 civilian casualties, 166 of whom were killed and 934 injured. In April, 236 incidents were recorded, which caused 1,572 civilian casualties (208 killed, 1,364 injured).
ISRAEL
In June 2025, there were 23 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Israel, 21 of which caused 698 civilian casualties, 33 of whom were killed and 665 injured. Civilian casualties included at least six children, 14 women and 9 men. Overall, civilians accounted for 99% of casualties recorded in Israel in June, as there were also seven reported armed-actor casualties, all of whom were killed.
99.7% (696) of civilian casualties occurred in populated areas.
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Urban residential | 88% (613) |
| Hospital | 11% (80) |
| Other | >1% (3) |
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Israel in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| Tel Aviv | 404 |
| Central | 120 |
| South | 112 |
| North | 62 |
State actors, specifically Iran, accounted for 99.6% (695) of all civilian casualties. Actors of unknown name and status accounted for less than 1% (3) of civilian casualties.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Ground launched weapons | 99% of civilian casualties Ground-launched missiles (694) |
| IEDs | >1% of civilian casualties:Car bomb (3) |
| Weapons of unclear launch method | >1% of civilian casualtiesMissiles (1) |
The number of civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Israel in June 2025 increased substantially compared to levels recorded in May, due to military escalation between Iran and Israel. In May, AOAV recorded one incident, which caused eight civilian casualties, all of whom were injured. In April, two incidents were recorded, which caused eight civilian casualties, seven of whom were injured and one killed.
IRAN
In June 2025, there were 30 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iran, 17 of which resulted in 591 civilian casualties, 254 of whom were killed and 337 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 23 children, 16 women, and 35 men. Overall, civilians accounted for 88% of all 672 casualties recorded in Iran in June, as 81 armed actor casualties were also recorded, 72 of whom were killed, and 9 injured.
99.2% (586) of civilian casualties occurred in populated areas.
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
|---|---|
| Urban residential | 88% (515) |
| Police station | 12% (69) |
| Other | >1% (2) |
The states in which civilian casualties were recorded in Iran in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| Tehran | 545 |
| Lorestan | 21 |
| Isfahan | 10 |
| East Azerbaijan | 8 |
| Qom | 3 |
| Hamadan | 2 |
| Gilan | 1 |
| Kermanshah | 1 |
State actors, specifically Israel, accounted for all 672 civilian casualties recorded in June.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Air launched weapons | 100% of civilian casualties Air strikes (591) |
Civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Iran in June 2025 increased significantly compared to May due to military escalation between Iran and Israel. AOAV has not recorded any incidents of explosive violence beyond accidental landmine incidents, since January this year, when 5 civilian casualties were recorded, two of whom were killed and three injured.
SUDAN
In June 2025, there were 15 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Sudan, 14 of which caused 256 civilian casualties, 145 of whom were killed and 111 injured. Civilian casualties included at least nine children. Overall, civilians accounted for 99% of casualties recorded in Sudan in June, as there were also three reported armed-actor casualties, all of whom were killed.
All 256 civilian casualties reported occurred in populated areas.
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Encampment | 455% (115) |
| Urban residential | 23% (59) |
| Hospital | 16% (41) |
| School | 7% (17) |
| Market | 4% (10) |
| Place of worship | 4% (9) |
| Humanitarian infrastructure | 2% (5) |
The states in which civilian casualties were reported in Sudan in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| North Darfur | 177 |
| West Kordofan | 58 |
| South Darfur | 9 |
| North Kordofan | 8 |
| South Kordofan | 4 |
Non-state actors caused 72% (324) of civilian casualties, specifically the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (184 civilian casualties). Whereas state actors, specifically Sudan, accounted for 25% (63) of civilian casualties. Actors of unknown name and status accounted for 4% (9) of civilian casualties.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Ground launched weapons | 58% of civilian casualties Artillery shelling (71)Non-specific shelling (69)Grenade (9) |
| Air launched weapons | 42% of civilian casualties:Air strikes (107) |
Civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Sudan in June 2025 decreased compared to May, when 17 incidents caused 428 reported civilian casualties (207 killed, 221 injured). In April, 24 incidents of explosive weapon use were recorded, which resulted in 722 reported civilian casualties (456 killed, 266 injured).
AOAV condemns the use of violence against civilians and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. All actors should stop using explosive weapons with wide-area effects where there is likely to be a high concentration of civilians.
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