Ukraine: Statement on the Escalating Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and its Devastating Impact on Civilians (July - September 2025)

As the war in Ukraine surpasses its third year since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, civilians continue to suffer the gravest consequences. The summer of 2025 has seen a dramatic escalation in the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, with record-breaking drones and missile attacks targeting residential zones, energy infrastructure, and humanitarian facilities far from the frontlines.

Between July and September 2025, Ukraine witnessed a sharp escalation in attacks on civilians, with over 708 killed and 3131 injured across more than 20 regions[1].

The indiscriminate nature of these attacks, including the deployment of over 700 loitering munitions in a single day, underscores the urgent need to stop these attacks, recall that civilians are protected under international humanitarian law, and the need for accountability for any violations of this fundamental and universal norm[2].

The psychological and physical toll on civilians - especially children, older people, and people with disabilities - is immeasurable. Civilians are killed and injured, with many experiencing life-changing injuries, and yet more suffering severe psychological harm and distress. Damage and destruction of vital infrastructure, including housing, hospitals, and schools, causes further harm. Unexploded ordnance poses an ongoing threat to civilians during and long after hostilities have ended, impeding the safe return of refugees and displaced persons[3].

In this statement, we once again chose to highlight the most disastrous attacks impacting civilians and the death toll hindered by the extensive use of explosive weapons with wide area effect in populated areas from both parties to the conflicts. Although the vast majority (97%) of reported civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructures and humanitarian, occurred in territory controlled by the Ukrainian government[4].

We also choose to highlight the weapons frequently used with the most destructive impact on civilians:

Loitering Munitions (Shahed-136/131)

• Over 5,800 Shahed drones were launched across Ukraine during the reporting period, with peak activity on July 9 (728 drones in one night), July 12(597 drones), and September 7 (810 drones). Responsible for at least 112 civilian deaths and 489 injuries, primarily in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv. These drones targeted hospitals, schools, and energy infrastructure, often in nighttime waves to maximize psychological disruption[5].

Short-Range Drones (FPV and Lancet-type)

• An estimated 1,200+ short-range drone strikes, with a sharp increase in August and September, targeting evacuation convoys, aid warehouses, and IDP shelters, caused 78 civilian deaths and 312 injuries, including multiple incidents involving humanitarian workers and persons with disabilities. Notable attacks include the 27 July strike on an evacuation bus in Sumy and the 13 August hit on an NGO warehouse in Mykolaiv[6].
• Russian armed forces have systematically targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure using short-range drones across Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv oblasts. These attacks - launched from positions along the left bank of the Dnipro River - have pursued victims in real time, struck ambulances and emergency services, and rendered entire localities unlivable. The UN Commission of Inquiry for Ukraine concluded that such conduct may amount to crimes against humanity, including murder and forcible transfer of population. The terror instilled by persistent drone strikes has forced thousands to flee, with survivors describing conditions where “it was not possible to go out” due to hourly drone presence[7].

Aerial Bombs (Glide and unguided variants)

• Over 230 aerial bombs dropped on civilian areas, with high-casualty events in Kharkiv, Dobropillia, and Bilenke, accounted for 94 civilian deaths and 367 injuries, often in densely populated zones. These weapons caused structural collapse and mass casualties, including the July 28 strike on a penal colony and the September 3 bombing of a residential block in Kharkiv[8].

Cruise and Ballistic Missiles (X-101, Iskander-M)

• Approximately 540 missiles launched during the quarter, including X-101, X-555, and Iskander-M types, resulted in 162 civilian deaths and 721 injuries, with major strikes on hospitals (e.g., Sumy, Kamianske), schools (Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv), and shelters (Poltava, Kropyvnytskyi). These attacks often coincided with loitering munition waves to overwhelm air defenses[9].

These figures reflect a clear escalation, mainly documented from the Russian armed forces, of coercive aerial campaign resulting in humanitarian operations disruption, and intolerable physical and psychological harm caused to civilians.

For more details, check the full report.

Spokespersons are available upon request.