US to provide Ukraine with ‘cluster bombs’ under certain conditions.

The United States to Send Cluster Munitions to Ukraine in Fight Against Russian Forces

The United States is taking action to support Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russian forces by sending “cluster munitions” to the country.

Colin H. Kahl, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, announced that the United States has agreed to provide these controversial munitions. However, they have ensured that the munitions have a low “dud rate” of only 2.5 percent and have received written assurances from Ukrainian leaders regarding their responsible use.

“We’ve obtained these assurances in writing,” Mr. Kahl stated during a press briefing at the Pentagon on July 7.

The United States will be sending standard 105 mm artillery shells and Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM), although the exact quantity has not been disclosed.

DPICM refers to cluster munitions that are fired from artillery.

Cluster munitions are designed to open midair and release smaller bombs over a wide area, simultaneously targeting multiple objectives. They can be delivered through planes, artillery, and missiles.

However, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), up to 40 percent of the “bomblets” have failed to explode in recent conflicts, posing a significant hazard. Unexploded bomblets have caused harm to civilians, including children.

Advocates for banning cluster bombs argue that they cause indiscriminate casualties and continue to endanger civilians long after their use. To address these concerns, Mr. Kahl emphasized that the munitions being sent are newer and more reliable than those used in previous conflicts, with a reduced failure rate of only 2.5 percent. He also highlighted that Ukraine would have to deal with cluster munitions regardless of U.S. involvement.

Reports from Human Rights Watch indicate that the Russian military has been deploying bombs with a dud rate of 30 to 40 percent.