![]() Syrian government troops have also used cluster munitions supplied by Russia during the country's civil war, while Israel used them in civilian areas in south Lebanon. The US-led coalition is thought to have dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan during the first three years of the invasion that began in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch. The bombs have also been deployed in other recent conflicts - including where US forces have ben involved. Hundreds of such attacks by Russian forces have been documented, reported or alleged since the start of the war, the Cluster Munition Coalition has said. More than 100 countries have signed a treaty banning the weapons, but Russia, Ukraine and the US are not signatories.īoth Russia and Ukraine have been using the munitions during the war - although Moscow has used them more heavily. In particular, they pose a risk to children as the bomblets can look like a small toy left in a residential or farmland area and they are often picked up out of curiosity. It means they can pose a danger for decades, exploding when being picked up or trodden on. ![]() They are meant to explode on impact, but a significant proportion fail to do so. Here's why.Ĭluster munitions typically release large numbers of tiny bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Ukraine has promised it will not use the weapons in Russia, and that they will be used to liberate Ukrainian territory.īut concerns remain over the use of the widely banned bombs. Regardless, the provision of cluster weapons remains a controversial initiative, and regardless of outcome, Mr Zelenskyy will have to plan for the post-conflict legacy these weapons create.Ĭontroversially, the US has agreed to send cluster munitions to Ukraine to help with Kyiv's counteroffensive. If the cluster munitions prove effective at clearing the minefields, Ukraine would be able to commit the majority of its offensive forces through any breach of the Russian frontline, seizing the initiative - and crucially momentum. Notwithstanding the controversial nature of cluster weapons, Ukraine is involved in a war of national survival - Mr Zelenskyy will welcome any help he can get.Īlthough neither the US nor Ukraine has announced how these cluster weapons will be used, it looks likely that the 155mm artillery shells (containing up to 88 sub-munitions) will be primarily be deployed to help Ukraine break through the Russian defensive line. Precision weapons are not available in the quantity required, but cluster munitions could provide a crucial capability to clear corridors through the minefields. The minefields in particular are difficult to clear without specialist capability. These obstructions can all be overcome, but Ukraine has neither the time nor resources to spare. One of the key challenges facing Ukraine is the established layered Russian defences that include trenches, minefields and Dragon's Teeth. ![]() However, over a month after the counteroffensive started, progress has been at best limited, and Ukraine risks losing momentum and the initiative. President Zelenskyy is heavily dependent on the West for the weapons he needs to liberate his country.Įarlier this year Mr Zelenskyy appealed to the West to provide the advanced weapons - including tanks - to mount an effective spring counteroffensive. Our military analyst Sean Bell has been taking a look. So what impact could they have on Ukraine's battle against Russia? The US president has said he made the "difficult decision" to supply them because "Ukrainians are running out of ammunition". The controversial weapon has been banned by several countries due to their ability to kill indiscriminately. Throughout the day we have been talking a lot about cluster munitions, following Joe Biden's announcement the US will send some to Ukraine.
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