USA Reportedly Willing to Provide Cluster Munitions to Ukraine
Controversial Delivery of Cluster Munitions Raises Concerns
According to multiple media reports, the USA is planning to supply controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine. An official announcement is said to be imminent. Criticism of the plan has already begun.
USA Decides to Go Ahead Despite Concerns and Protests
Despite all concerns and protests, the US government reportedly plans to provide controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine. Various US media outlets received this information from government sources. However, it was stated that the final decision lies on President Joe Biden’s desk. The official announcement is reserved for him, as well as the confirmation of another multimillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine.
“Preliminary plans for the delivery of cluster munitions are being considered. Once we formally announce the plans, we will provide more details,” promised Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder. He chooses his words carefully. The use of cluster munitions is internationally condemned, primarily because they are considered extremely dangerous for civilian populations.
USA, Ukraine, and Russia Not Party to Agreement
Cluster bombs release countless small explosives, many of which explode later and can continue to kill or injure people long after they have been dropped. An international agreement prohibits the use of cluster munitions, but neither the USA, Ukraine, nor Russia has signed this so-called Oslo Convention.
USA Aims to Deliver “Relatively Safe” Cluster Munitions
“I would like to point out that we have several variants of munitions in our stockpiles. None of them include outdated versions with an unexploded ordnance rate exceeding 2.35 percent,” said Ryder.
Likely to preempt potential criticism, he also stated that the USA would only provide modern and relatively safe cluster munitions with a lower rate of unexploded ordnance to Ukraine.
Pentagon Contemplated Delivery for Some Time
Ukraine has long been requesting cluster munitions, namely rockets or bombs that can simultaneously target multiple objectives. They hope to penetrate the Russian military lines and advance their counteroffensive. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, revealed last week that the Pentagon has been contemplating this delivery for a while.
Milley justified the decision by pointing out that other European countries have already supplied cluster munitions, and the Russians are also using them.
Criticism from Human Rights Groups
Following the US government’s plans becoming public, criticism from human rights groups quickly followed. Amnesty International, among others, strongly condemned the intention. The use of cluster munitions is incompatible with international law, stated Amnesty. They pose a significant threat to civilian life, even long after a conflict has ended.
