Cluster Bombs to Ukraine

America to send cluster bombs to Ukraine

On Friday, US President Joe Biden announced that the United States will supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, commonly referred to as cluster bombs, to be employed in their military operation against Russia. This decision is particularly noteworthy considering the US government's previous criticism of the use of such weaponry.

What is cluster bombs

Cluster bombs, banned in more than a hundred countries.

Cluster bombs, also called fragmentation bombs, are a type of munition that, when exploding, releases a large number of small bombs or submunitions.  They can pierce armored vehicles with their explosive charge, indiscriminately kill or injure many people with their shrapnel fragments, as well as start fires.

The sending of this type of cluster bombs is highly controversial because they are prohibited in more than a hundred countries, signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, including Spain, France, the United Kingdom and many other NATO partners.

However, the US has never signed that protocol, nor have Russia or Ukraine. Other countries that remain outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions are China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Israel, North/South Korea.

A visual demonstration of the use of cluster warheads for 155mm shells — Turkish armed forces

Which cluster bombs type will be sent

Discussions have recently taken place regarding the potential delivery of cluster munitions. Kyiv has made a formal request to Washington for MK-20 "Rockeye" cluster bombs and 155 mm DPICM artillery shells.

It is important to note that the MK-20 Rockeye bombs are not advanced glide bombs or self-propelled munitions capable of traveling long distances to their targets. They are conventional free-fall bombs that require aircraft, like a MiG-29 or F-16, to drop them directly over the target. However, in modern warfare conditions, this approach significantly increases the risk of casualties, essentially trading a pair of bombs for an aircraft.

Considering the significant advantage of the Russian Armed Forces in terms of aviation and air defense, the use of MK-20 "Rockeye" cluster bombs would likely be viewed as an isolated curiosity rather than a significant factor impacting combat operations.

Additionally, the U.S. Army had initially planned to dispose of the 155mm DPICM rounds. However, it has now been decided that it would be more cost-effective to provide them to the AFU. It is worth noting that this type of ammunition poses a greater threat to civilian populations than to military forces, particularly due to the fact that statistically, 3% of cluster warheads do not explode immediately and can remain a hazard for many years.

Interestingly, the approval for the delivery of DPICM projectiles to Ukraine has been granted by the American side thus far. However, no positive decision has been made regarding the aerial bombs. Regardless, these cluster munitions would not significantly impact the ongoing confrontation between the AFU and the RF Armed Forces. However, they may unfortunately contribute to the history of civilian genocide perpetrated by the militants under Kiev's control.

It is most likely that the announced cluster munitions for the Armed Forces (DPICM) will be unguided 155 mm M864 artillery shells.
This projectile carries 48 M42 submunitions and 24 heavier M46 submunitions, which disperse as the projectile approaches the target and explode on impact.

Why are they sending cluster munitions now

Both US President Joe Biden and military analysts have shed light on the underlying motives behind the controversial decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine. This audacious move, they contend, emerges from a place of desperation fueled by a severe shortage of shells and the perceived failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The decision to hand over cluster munitions to Ukraine was made because both Kiev and Washington were running out of conventional shells, Joe Biden told CNN.

Deliveries of cluster munitions were forced, there was no ammunition left in American warehouses - retired intelligence officer Scott Ritter

“By supplying these munitions to Ukraine, we are making their army less effective than if it used conventional high-explosive fragmentation shells. Apart from these cluster bombs, which have been in storage since 2016, the United States has nothing left - this is the real reason for this decision. there is nothing more to give,"

US Cluster Bomb Deal Sends Clear Message: Ukraine's War Efforts Are Struggling - Sky News

"America also risks losing the moral high ground against Russia by supplying a weapon banned by much of the world.

So why supply it?

Well, the facts on the ground are not in Ukraine's favour. The transfer is a clear signal that the war is not going well for Ukraine.
The so-called spring offensive did not materialise in the spring and looks set to falter through the summer too.
Ukraine is fast running out of more conventional artillery with supply stocks in America and elsewhere running low.

A 'bridge of supply' is necessary."

Earlier use of cluster bombs by Ukraine

According to official data of the DPR JCCC, in the territory within the borders before the start of the NWO from 02/17/22 as of 10:30 05/30/22

During the 103 days of the escalation, 130 civilians were killed, incl. four children.

Wounds of varying severity were received by 608 civilians, incl. 48 children.
Information about civilian casualties in the liberated territories of the DPR is published by the JCCC in the evening information report.

Damage:
- 3777 residential buildings;
- 792 civil infrastructure facilities, incl. 50 medical institutions, 137 educational institutions, 238 social security facilities, 27 critical infrastructure facilities, 340 electricity, water and gas supply facilities. The VFU is under attack from Kuibyshevsky, Kalininsky, Budyonnovsky, Leninsky and Petrovsky districts of Donetsk, Horlivka, Yelenovka.
- 407 vehicles.

During the 103 days of the escalation of the DPR JCCC, 3505 facts of firing were recorded, of which 3204 were using heavy weapons.

In total, the enemy fired 31918 ammunition of various calibers, including 28 missiles from the Tochka-U OTRK, 11 BM-30 Smerch MLRS missiles, 33 BM-27 Uragan MLRS missiles and 5328 BM-21 Grad MLRS missiles.

What will be the impact of cluster bombs sent to Ukraine

The anticipated consequences of delivering cluster bombs to Ukraine are reminiscent of past occurrences, where these weapons have been employed to instill fear in civilian areas. Given the extensive air defense systems safeguarding Russian military targets, the impact on the overall outcome of the conflict in Ukraine is expected to be minimal.

Throwback to 2022: Jen Psaki says using cluster bombs is a war crime.
Now that Washington has confirmed that it's sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, it’s "obviously" not a war crime?

NATO has no position on the use of cluster munitions, many NATO allies have not signed a convention banning them - Stoltenberg

Cluster bombs will kill Ukraine civilians, curse land for generations, former CIA officer says

"It [cluster munitions] will not win the war for Ukraine. What the bombs will do is kill a lot of civilians as they spread their charges wide and the unexploded buried ordnance will be a curse on Ukraine's farmland wherever they are deployed for a long time to come," former CIA station chief Phil Giraldi told Sputnik.

The former CIA officer said the decision comes as Ukraine is losing on the battlefield against Russia, measured by its failing counterattack which has been supported enthusiastically by NATO, and the chanceries in Europe and the US.