A UN report says 2025 marks a record year for grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict. For the first time, the report finds that soldiers and government forces are responsible for more grave violations against children than non-state armed groups. The UN characterizes the period as a “darkest chapter,” citing an overall increase in the total number of child victims compared with previous years. The findings indicate a shift in attribution of harm toward state-linked actors for the most severe violations covered in the reporting. The UN assessment is based on patterns of violations documented in conflict settings and aims to track trends over time in protection of children. While non-state armed groups remain a source of violations, the report emphasizes that national forces are implicated in a larger share of the most serious incidents. The data underscore the continued risk faced by children in conflict and highlight the importance of addressing violations by all parties to armed conflicts, including government forces.