Ukraine: Humanity & Inclusion’s Statement on the Intensifying Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and the Rising Civilian Toll, October–December 2025

As the war in Ukraine has entered its fourth winter since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, civilians continue to bear the brunt of indiscriminate attacks. The last quarter of 2025 was characterized by the sustained and widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas, with repeated strikes on residential zones, energy infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and humanitarian facilities.

Throughout 2025, the war further escalated and spread to new territories, which led to increased humanitarian needs and rendered entire areas uninhabitable. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at the beginning of 2026, 10.8 million people needed humanitarian assistance, of whom 3.6 million were identified as the most vulnerable and prioritized for support.

The OHCHR report documents a horrifying civilian toll, with at least 54,339 civilians killed or injured since the full-scale invasion. Between October and December 2025, at least 531 civilians were killed and over 2,769 were injured across Ukraine, including territories controlled by the Russian Federation.

During the last quarter of 2025, Russia launched ten large-scale, coordinated waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy grid and densely populated urban areas, causing widespread civilian harm. Humanity & Inclusion once again strongly condemns these indiscriminate attacks against civilians, medical and humanitarian workers, and civilian objects, including health facilities and other critical civilian infrastructure.

We strongly denounce the widespread use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas, which cause devastating harm to civilians and relentlessly flout international humanitarian law (IHL). These attacks may likely constitute violations of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and feasible precautions. We call upon governments to urgently endorse and implement the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, and to uphold all its commitments.

We further call on the international community to condemn and investigate violations of international humanitarian law, and to support accountability mechanisms together with survivor-centered assistance, including mental health and inclusive rehabilitation services.

Spokespersons are available for interviews upon media request.