According to a report in the Washington Post (Thursday), Ukraine has started using US cluster munitions in the fight against Russia. As the paper reported, citing unnamed Ukrainian government officials, Ukrainian forces in the south-east of the country are trying to break through Russian positions that are slowing down the counter-offensive that has begun.
Questioned by dpa, the US Department of Defense did not initially comment on whether it had any information that cluster munitions were already being used. There was no official confirmation or denial from Ukraine.
Duds danger to the population
Cluster munitions are missiles or bombs that explode in the air over the target, spraying many small explosive devices. It is controversial mainly because a significant part does not detonate, but remains in place as a failure, putting the population at risk. More than 100 states have banned its use.
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has already threatened to use cluster munitions if Ukraine starts using them. However, many experts are convinced that the Russian side has been using this ammunition for a long time.
The Pentagon confirmed last week that the cluster munitions promised by the US shortly before had been delivered to Ukraine and arrived there. The US government repeatedly emphasizes how difficult it was for President Joe Biden to make the decision.
Ukraine has pledged not to use cluster munitions for attacks on Russian territory. According to his own statements, he does not want to use them against civil institutions. Russia has been waging a war of aggression against its neighbor for 17 months.