In June 2026, Action on Armed Violence recorded 3,986 deaths and injuries from 627 incidents of explosive violence around the world, as reported in English-language media. Civilians accounted for 92% (3,651) of the deaths and injuries recorded.
In instances where explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 98% of casualties (3,560) were civilians, as opposed to 26% (91) in lesser-populated areas.
Manufactured explosive weapons accounted for 97% (3,556) of civilian casualties, while improvised explosive weapons (IEDs) accounted for 3% (95) of these civilian casualties in June 2026.
Of the main launch-method types of manufactured explosive weapons, air-launched explosive weapons accounted for 78% (2,837) of civilian casualties, ground-launched weapons were responsible for 9% (336) of civilian casualties, and mines were responsible for less than 1% (12) of civilian casualties.
At least one death or injury from the use of explosive weapons was recorded in 25 countries and territories in June 2026. The five most affected countries and territories in terms of civilian casualties from the use of explosive weapons were Ukraine (1,951 civilian casualties), Lebanon, (532), Gaza (332), Sudan (254) and Afghanistan (210).
UKRAINE
In June 2026, there were 293 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Ukraine, 287 of which resulted in 1,951 civilian casualties, 236 of whom were killed and 1,715 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 100 children, 136 women and 128 men. Overall, civilians accounted for 90% of all 1,967 casualties recorded in Ukraine in June, as there were also 16 reported armed-actor casualties, 7 of whom were killed, and 9 injured.
99.2% (1,937) of civilian casualties occurred in populated areas:
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Urban residential | 1,427 (73%) |
| Multiple (urban) | 325 (17%) |
| Village | 52 (3%) |
| Public transport | 41 (2%) |
| Commercial premises | 26 (1%) |
| Transport related infrastructure | 18 (1%) |
| Public gathering | 18 (1%) |
| Market | 14 (>1%) |
| No information | 9 (>1%) |
| Other | 7 (>1%) |
| Entertainment | 6 (>1%) |
| Road | 5 (>1%) |
| Encampment | 2 (>1%) |
| School | 1 (>1%) |
The oblasts in which civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine in June:
| Oblast | Civilian casualties |
| Kharkiv | 325 |
| Dnipropetrovsk | 321 |
| Zaporizhzhia | 304 |
| Kherson | 281 |
| Sumy | 236 |
| Donetsk | 215 |
| Kyiv | 170 |
| Odesa | 35 |
| Chernihiv | 21 |
| Poltava | 21 |
| Mykolaiv | 15 |
| Black Sea | 6 |
| Crimea | 1 |
99.9% (1,950) of civilian casualties were attributed to state actor use of explosive weapons, specifically Russia. Less than 1% (1) of civilian casualties were attributed to actors of unknown name and status.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Air launched weapons | 69% of civilian casualties:Air strikes (1,355) |
| Combined explosive weapons | 17% of civilian casualties (334) |
| Ground launched weapons | 10% of civilian casualties Non-specific shelling (164)Artillery shelling (27) |
| Weapons of unclear launch method | 3% of civilian casualties Missiles (64) |
| Mines | >1% of civilian casualties Landmine (4) |
| IEDs | >1% of civilian casualtiesNon-specific IEDs (3) |
The number of civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Ukraine in June 2026 increased compared to levels recorded in May, when 282 incidents caused 1,770 civilian casualties, 221 of whom were killed and 1,549 injured. In April, 283 incidents were recorded, which caused 1,535 civilian casualties (172 killed, 1,363 injured).
LEBANON
In June 2026, there were 114 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Lebanon, 90 of which resulted in 523 civilian casualties, 238 of whom were killed and 285 injured. Overall, civilians accounted for 85% of all 615 casualties recorded in Lebanon in June, as there were also 92 armed actors casualties, including 39 reported killed and 53 reported injured.
97% (507) of civilian casualties occurred in populated areas.
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
|---|---|
| Urban residential | 390 (75%) |
| Hospital | 73 (14%) |
| Village | 37 (7%) |
| Road | 12 (2%) |
| No information | 6 (1%) |
| Multiple (urban) | 3 (>1%) |
| Encampment | 2 (>1%) |
The regions in which civilian casualties were recorded in Lebanon in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| South | 303 |
| Nabatieh | 157 |
| Beirut | 31 |
| Beqaa | 21 |
| Baalbek | 9 |
| Mount Lebanon | 2 |
99% (517) of civilian casualties were attributed to state use of explosive weapons, specifically Israel. Non-state actors, specifically Hezbollah, accounted for less than 1% (3) of 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 |
| Air launched weapons | 99% of civilian casualties Air strike (516) |
| Ground launched weapons | 1% of civilian casualties Mortar (3) Artillery shelling (2) |
| Mines | >1% of civilian casualties Landmine (1) |
The number of civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Lebanon in June 2026 decreased compared to levels recorded in May, when 141 incidents caused 708 civilian casualties, 340 of whom were killed and 368 injured. In April, 114 incidents were recorded, which caused 1,894 civilian casualties (480 killed, 1,414 injured).
GAZA
In June 2026, there were 89 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Gaza, 76 of which resulted in 332 civilian casualties, 121 of whom were killed and 211 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 21 children, 10 women and 18 men. Overall, civilians accounted for 94% of casualties recorded in Gaza in June, as there were also 21 armed actor casualties, all of whom were killed.
All 329 civilian casualties occurred in populated areas.
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Urban residential | 63% (209) |
| Encampment | 24% (80) |
| Police station | 6% (21) |
| School | 4% (12) |
| Transport related infrastructure | >1 (4) |
| Place of worship | >1% (3) |
| Entertainment | >1% (2) |
| Commercial premises | >1% (1) |
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Gaza in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| North | 157 |
| South | 136 |
| Central | 39 |
All 332 civilian casualties were attributed to state use of explosive weapons, specifically Israel.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Air launched weapons | 92% of civilian casualties Air strikes (304)Missiles (2) |
| Ground launched weapons | 8% of civilian casualties:Non-specific shelling (15)Artillery shelling (10) |
| Weapons of unclear launch method | >1% of civilian casualtiesMissiles (1) |
The number of civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Gaza in June 2026 increased slightly compared to May, where 85 incidents caused 325 civilian casualties, of which 100 were killed and 225 injured. In April 2026, 58 incidents were recorded, which caused 164 civilian casualties (106 killed, 58 injured).
SUDAN
In June 2026, there were 22 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Sudan, all of which caused 254 civilian casualties, 114 of whom were killed and 140 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 9 children and 1 woman. Overall, civilians accounted for all casualties recorded in Sudan in June.
98% (248) civilian casualties reported in June occurred in populated areas.
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Urban residential | 39% (99) |
| Other | 32% (82) |
| Market | 8% (21) |
| Transport related infrastructure | 8% (20) |
| Encampment | 7% (19) |
| School | 3% (8) |
| No information | 1% (3) |
| Humanitarian infrastructure | >1% (1) |
| Road | >1% (1) |
The states in which civilian casualties were reported in Sudan in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| North Kordofan | 111 |
| River Nile | 80 |
| North Darfur | 22 |
| White Nile | 19 |
| South Darfur | 12 |
| Blue Nile | 8 |
| South Kordofan | 2 |
Actors of unknown name and status accounted for 43% (110) of civilian casualties. Non-state use of explosive weapons accounted for 40% (102) of civilian casualties, specifically by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). State use of explosive weapons, specifically by Sudan, accounted for 17% (42) of civilian casualties.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Air launched weapons | 99% of civilian casualties:Air strikes (252) |
| Combined explosive weapons | >1% of civilian casualties (2) |
Civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Sudan in June 2026 increased compared to May, when 14 incidents caused 186 reported civilian casualties (117 killed, 69 injured). In April, 22 incidents of explosive weapon use were recorded, which resulted in 347 reported civilian casualties (188 killed, 159 injured).
AFGHANISTAN
In June 2026, there were 8 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Afghanistan, 6 of which resulted in 210 civilian casualties, 49 of whom were killed and 161 injured. Civilian casualties included at least 11 children, one woman and one man. Overall, civilians accounted for 88% of casualties recorded in Afghanistan in June, as there were also 30 armed actor casualties, 29 of whom were killed and 1 injured.
All 210 civilian casualties occurred in populated areas.
| Event Location | Civilian Casualties |
| Urban residential | 100% (210) |
The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Afghanistan in June are:
| Region | Civilian casualties |
| Paktia | 178 |
| Khost | 19 |
| Paktika | 9 |
| Kunar | 4 |
State actors, specifically Pakistan, accounted for all civilian harm caused by explosive weapons in June 2026.
Explosive weapon launch method:
| Launch method | Civilian casualties |
| Air launched weapons | 100% of civilian casualties Air strikes (210) |
The number of civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Afghanistan in June 2026 increased drastically compared to May, where 2 incidents caused 17 civilian casualties, of which 3 were killed and 14 injured. In April 2026, 8 incidents were recorded, which caused 69 civilian casualties (10 killed, 59 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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