US may supply cluster munitions to Ukraine, says top military officer.

The United States Considers Providing Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

In an intriguing development, the top American military officer, Army Gen. Mark Milley, revealed on Friday that the United States is contemplating the provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine. This move comes as Russian troops continue to employ these weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces have already received cluster bombs from other allies and deployed them.

Milley, speaking at the National Press Club, acknowledged that discussions are ongoing. He emphasized that the Ukrainians have requested this support, and other European countries have already provided some cluster munitions. The decision-making process is currently underway.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying Expectations

Furthermore, Gen. Milley dismissed concerns about the pace of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, stating that he anticipated the initial campaign to last between six to ten weeks. He emphasized the immense challenges and cautioned against any illusions regarding the difficulty and duration of the operation.

Understanding Cluster Bombs

Cluster bombs are highly destructive weapons that disperse submunitions, or “bomblets,” over a wide area. They are designed to target multiple objectives simultaneously and can be delivered by planes, artillery, and missiles. However, it is worth noting that these “bomblets” have a significant failure rate, with up to 40 percent failing to explode in recent conflicts, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Opponents of cluster bombs argue that they pose a significant risk to civilians and cause indiscriminate casualties long after their use.

It remains uncertain how America’s NATO allies would perceive the United States providing cluster munitions to Ukraine and whether this issue could potentially create divisions among them.