Cluster Munition Monitor 2022: A shocking 689 civilians killed or injured by cluster munitions attacks in Ukraine

Released today, while the Ukrainian crisis enters its sixth months, the 2022 Cluster Munition Monitor report reveals that at least 689 civilians were killed or injured during cluster munition attacks in Ukraine for the first half of 2022. No new attacks using cluster munitions were reported in other countries. As up to 40% of these weapons do not explode on impact, heavy contamination by cluster munition remnants poses a serious threat for the local population: 149 cluster munition remnants casualties were recorded globally in 2021. The conference of State Parties to the Oslo Convention, which bans the use of cluster munitions, is due to take place from the 30th of August to the 2nd of September in Geneva. Humanity & Inclusion is calling on states to systematically condemn the use of these barbaric weapons and to hold accountable those responsible for their use.   

689 civilians killed or injured: a 302% increase to 2020 

The 2022 Cluster Munition Monitor report assesses the implementation of the Oslo Convention, which bans the use, production, transfer and stockpile of cluster munitions, for the period from January to December 2021. The report also covers the first half of 2022, when information is available.  

In the first half of 2022, new uses of cluster munitions were reported only in Ukraine where Russian forces conducted hundreds of attacks and Ukrainian forces have used the weapon several times.  

"The continued and repeated use of cluster munitions in Ukraine shows a lack of regard for civilian lives, and in some cases a deliberate intent to target them. The attacks occurred in populated areas, cluster munitions are indiscriminate weapons by nature. When used in this way some 99% of casualties will be civilians. Humanity & Inclusion is calling for an immediate end to the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine and for all states to unite in condemning the manufacturing, dissemination and use of these weapons and to hold violators to account." Says George Graham, Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion UK. 

Humanity & Inclusion is a Nobel-prize-winning organisation that works in conflicts around the world to support people impacted by explosive weapons, including cluster munitions. The organisation was one of the founder members of the campaign to ban cluster munitions. 

 According to preliminary reports, at least 689 civilians were killed (215) or injured (474). This figure would represent a 302% increase compared to the global total observed in 2020, which included both victims of attacks and remnants. The actual number of people injured and killed is likely to be greater due to challenges with casualty recording. 

These 689 new casualties would be the heaviest toll recorded in recent years. In 2016, more than 800 new victims of cluster munition attacks were recorded, the vast majority were in Syria. The Syrian government use of cluster munitions was widespread in between 2012 and 2018. Cluster munitions were also used extensively in Syrian-Russian joint operations.   

Cluster munition use in Ukraine mostly occurred in populated areas and besides killing and injuring civilians, it also damaged civilian infrastructure: homes, hospitals, schools, plants, playgrounds, etc. Cluster munition attacks also threatened internally displaced persons and those seeking humanitarian aid. 

Cluster Munitions remnants  

The Monitor recorded 149 new cluster munition casualties in 2021 globally, all caused by cluster munition remnants: 37 in Syria, 33 in Iraq, 30 in Laos, etc. The Monitor also reports casualties in 8 other countries and territories including Yemen, Lebanon, Nagorno-Karabakh, Tajikistan, etc. This was the first time in a decade that no new casualties from cluster munition attacks were reported in 2021. This marked a sharp decline from the annual totals in 2020 (360 casualties) and 2019 (317 casualties).  

Stockpile destruction and contamination globally  

Since the Convention came into force on 1st August 2010, 35 State Parties have destroyed 1.5 million cluster munition stockpiles, i.e. a total of 178 million sub-munitions. This represents 99% of all cluster munitions declared by State Parties.  

In total, 26 states and 3 regions remain contaminated by sub-munition remnants worldwide. 

Notes

• Interview available upon request with Humanity & Inclusion’s experts 
• You can access the report here 
• Cluster bombs are weapons containing several hundred mini-bombs called cluster munitions. Designed to be scattered over large areas, they inevitably fall in civilian neighbourhoods. Up to 40% do not explode on impact. Like anti-personnel mines, they can be triggered by the slightest contact, killing and maiming people during and after conflicts. As they make no distinction between civilians, civilian property and military targets, cluster bombs violate the rules of international humanitarian law.  

The Oslo Convention, which bans the use, storage, transfer, production and sale of cluster munitions, was opened for signature in December 2008. Currently, 120 countries are signatories to this convention.