Ukraine has received cluster bombs from the United States as part of an $800 million security package, despite them being banned in over 100 countries. Ukrainian officials have pledged to only use the munitions to target concentrations of enemy soldiers. The weapons arrived in Ukraine a week after the announcement was made, and their deployment has been confirmed by Valeryi Shershen, a spokesman for the southern military district.
While the Pentagon has acknowledged the delivery, Russia has strongly criticized the shipment. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu issued a warning, stating that Russia may respond by deploying similar weaponry if Ukraine utilizes the cluster bombs. Ukrainian officials argue that the deployment is justified in light of Russia’s mining of seized territories.
The recent launch of a counteroffensive by Ukraine has focused on capturing groups of villages in the southeast and reclaiming areas near the city of Bakhmut, which were seized by Russian forces in May. Ukrainian military strategists view the arrival of cluster bombs as a demotivating factor for the Russian occupying forces, hoping it will tilt the balance in favor of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Nevertheless, concerns have been raised about the use of cluster munitions due to their long-lasting danger and potential to harm civilians. These bombs release numerous smaller bomblets that can pose a threat for years if they fail to explode upon impact. Both Russia and Ukraine have been accused of employing cluster bombs in the conflict, even though neither country has signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of such weapons.
The decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine has faced opposition from Spain and Canada, while Britain acknowledged the shipment under a convention that discourages the use of these weapons. Some U.S. Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the decision.
It is expected that the cluster munitions will be deployed in the southern regions of Ukraine, targeting enemy defense lines. Ukrainian military analysts believe that the arrival of these weapons will significantly enhance the capabilities of Ukrainian troops in the region. Deputy Ukrainian Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported progress in the south, stating that Ukrainian forces have forced enemy troops to redeploy. However, Russian accounts claim successful repulsion of multiple Ukrainian attacks in the eastern Donetsk region.
The delivery of cluster bombs to Ukraine has sparked intense international debate and raised apprehensions about their potential impact on the conflict. As hostilities continue between the two sides, the use of these munitions adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis. The situation remains highly volatile, and the world watches closely to see how this development will influence the course of events in the region.