Ukrainian forces are effectively utilizing cluster munitions received from the United States, according to John Kirby, the National Security Council’s coordinator for strategic communications at the White House. This controversial decision to send the bombs has been defended by Kirby and other administration officials as a necessary measure. Kirby told reporters that the cluster munitions are having an impact on Russia’s defensive formations and maneuvering.
However, it is important to note that cluster bombs have a dud rate of less than 2.35%, meaning that a percentage of the bomblets may not explode upon impact. This poses a risk to civilians as these duds can act like landmines and cause injuries. Mark Cancian, in an article for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted the potential dangers of these cluster munitions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that if cluster bombs are used against his forces, Russia reserves the right to take similar action. It is worth noting that Russia has already deployed such munitions during its conflict with Ukraine, as confirmed by the United Nations.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently stated that Ukraine would have been defenseless without cluster bombs due to a shortage of unitary munitions. President Joe Biden described the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions as a difficult one. However, the move has been widely condemned, even by some lawmakers within Biden’s own party.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that Ukrainians have committed in writing to using the cluster munitions only in appropriate places and not targeting population centers.
It is important to note that the international Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has over 100 state parties including the United Kingdom and Germany, prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs. However, the United States, Ukraine, and Russia have not signed this treaty.
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