In 2025, Ukraine experienced a notable rise of 26% in civilian casualties as reported by the Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), highlighting the severe impact of ongoing warfare on the civilian population. The AOAV reported that 2,248 civilians were killed and 12,493 injured due to explosive violence, indicating not only the scale of the tragedy but also a concerning trend of increased targeting of populous urban areas. The data pointed out that the average number of casualties per strike rose by 33% compared to the previous year, emphasizing a shift towards more lethal assaults on civilian infrastructure.

One of the most devastating incidents in this period occurred in Dnipro on June 24, where Russian missile strikes targeted a passenger train and nearby residences, resulting in 21 deaths and injuring 314 individuals, including 38 children. This particular attack underscores the grave humanitarian consequences of the conflict, which has increasingly affected non-combatants, exacerbating the plight of civilians already suffering amidst ongoing warfare. The statistic detailing that an average of 4.8 civilians were killed or injured per strike reflects a disturbing trend in modern warfare where the principle of proportionality is frequently disregarded.

Iain Overton, the executive director of AOAV, articulated that these figures illustrate a broader collapse of restraint in various global conflicts, emphasizing that respect for proportionality in warfare appears to be deteriorating not just in Ukraine but across multiple war zones. The report serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for international awareness and action to protect civilians in conflict situations, stressing the necessity for accountability and adherence to humanitarian law amidst the chaos of armed conflict.