The decision by the US to send cluster bombs to Ukraine for its war effort against Russia has raised significant humanitarian concerns. Cluster bombs, also known as cluster munitions, are highly potent military weapons that release multiple smaller submunitions, or “bomblets,” over a wide area. While they can effectively target infantry, artillery, and truck convoys, they also pose a significant risk to unsuspecting civilians for years after their deployment.
Over 120 nations, including the UK, have signed a treaty banning the use of cluster bombs due to their devastating consequences. However, both Ukraine and Russia have utilized these weapons during the ongoing war. In light of this, MailOnline examines the controversial nature of cluster bombs, their deployment methods, and the countries where they are banned.
The US has now agreed to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, a decision that forms part of an $800 million military aid package for the country. This move comes a year after the former White House press secretary described Russia’s use of cluster bombs as a “war crime.” The Cluster Munition Coalition, an organization advocating against the use of these weapons, has expressed its firm opposition to the US’s decision. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged some disagreements regarding cluster munitions and has vowed to limit their use during the conflict.
Cluster bombs are typically deployed through cylindrical metal canisters, weighing around 1,000 pounds, which are launched from aircraft or the ground. As the canister travels through the air, it spins and releases approximately 200 bomblets, each around eight inches long, covering an area as large as several football fields. Tragically, a significant portion of these bomblets may fail to explode upon impact, posing grave dangers to individuals even long after the conflict has ended.
These unexploded bomblets, known as “duds,” can remain on the ground for years or even decades, functioning as de facto landmines that pose fatal risks to civilians. They may be mistaken for harmless objects such as rocks or toys, making children particularly vulnerable. Dud rates vary depending on the origin of the cluster bombs, ranging from 2% to 40%. US cluster bombs typically have a lower dud rate, while Russian ones tend to have a higher percentage.
Clearing areas targeted by cluster bombs of duds often necessitates costly and intricate operations that may involve the use of robots. While the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty signed in 2008, prohibits the production, transfer, and use of these weapons in many countries, including the UK, US, Russia, Brazil, and China, the US has not ratified this treaty. Nonetheless, the US ceased manufacturing cluster munitions in 2008. Nevertheless, estimates suggest that the US military still possesses around 4.7 million cluster shells, rockets, missiles, and bombs containing over 500 million bomblets in its inventories.
The use of cluster bombs is not limited to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. These weapons have been employed in various conflicts throughout history, including the Second World War and the Vietnam War. More recently, they have been used in countries such as Syria, Libya, and Sudan. Action on Armed Violence has identified 12 countries, including the US, Russia, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, as having a history of using these weapons.
The consequences of cluster bombs are devastating. Since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine in February 2022, cluster munition attacks have caused 689 reported casualties, including 215 deaths and 474 injuries, all of which were civilians. Prior to this conflict, between 2009 and 2018, there were 4,128 recorded cluster munition casualties in nearly 20 countries, with Syria experiencing the majority of these incidents.
The decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine by the Biden administration is in response to a request for aid from the country against Russian forces. President Biden has acknowledged that sending these weapons was a difficult decision due to their humanitarian implications. While both the UK and the US have been providing weapons to Ukraine, the UK does not have a recent history of producing or stockpiling cluster bombs.
In conclusion, the decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine raises significant concerns over the humanitarian impact of these weapons. Cluster bombs pose a substantial risk to both military personnel and civilians due to their widespread effects and the potential for unexploded bomblets to cause harm long after their deployment. While the use of these weapons is banned in many countries, including the UK, the US has not ratified the international treaty prohibiting their use. Proper management and clearance of areas affected by cluster bombs are vital to ensuring the safety of civilians and reducing the long-term hazards posed by unexploded duds.
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