Explosive violence in Ukraine

AOAV’s Explosive Violence Monitor, launched in October 2010, uses English-language media reports to capture information on the harm caused by explosive weapons around the world. This data is used by international organisations, researchers, journalists and advocacy groups to campaign for reduced civilian harm as a result of explosive violence.

Over the past decade (2014-2023), AOAV has recorded 5,653 incidents of explosive violence in Ukraine, resulting in 27,342 casualties, of which 78% (21,407) were reported as civilians. Civilian casualties include at least 852 children, 1,536 women and 1,598 men. Of the civilian casualties, 31% (6,622) were reported as killed.

The five most affected regions in terms of civilian harm as a result of explosive violence over the past decade are Donetsk (6,499 civilian casualties), Kherson (2,832), Kharkiv (2,454), Donetsk Oblast (1,716), and Zaporizhzhia (1,350).

Ground-launched weapons were the deadliest form of weapon, accounting for 79% (4,447) of all incidents recorded between 2014-2023, 72% of total civilian casualties (15,439), and 68% (4,535) of all civilians killed within the decade.

The majority of harm from explosive weapons use in Ukraine over the past decade was reportedly perpetrated by state actors, who account for 82% (4,616) of all incidents and caused 90% (19,228) of all civilian casualties, as well as 85% (5,656) of all civilians killed.