Highlights: Cluster munitions can disperse up to several hundred small explosive charges, capable of remaining unexploded in the ground and creating a risk to civilians after a conflict has ended. They are banned by many countries, particularly European ones, signatories to a convention signed in Oslo in 2008 and to which neither Russia, nor the United States, nor Ukraine are parties. The first munitions were used in the Donetsk region, quite north of the current confrontation zone, points out General Dominique Trinquand, former head of military mission of the French delegation to the UN.

Kiev has begun using controversial US-delivered cluster munitions, according to the White House, as Ukraine seeks to boost its counter-offensive against the United States.

Ukrainian military uses cluster munitions delivered by Washington, says White House

Kiev has begun using controversial US-delivered cluster munitions, according to the White House, as Ukraine seeks to boost its counteroffensive against Russian forces.

U.S. Army cluster munition shells (DPICM) at Camp Hovey in South Korea in 2016 (Illustration image). © U.S. Army/2nd Lt. Gabriel Jenko/Handout via REUTERS

Text by: RFI Follow

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Asked if Washington's cluster munitions were now deployed and used by Kiev, John Kirby, a White House spokesman, replied: "Yes." According to Kirby, the deployment of these weapons on the front has taken place "about the last week". Ukrainian forces "use them appropriately. They use them effectively and they really have an impact on Russian defensive formations and Moscow's defensive maneuvers," the spokesman told reporters.

Cluster munitions can disperse up to several hundred small explosive charges, capable of remaining unexploded in the ground and creating a risk to civilians after a conflict has ended. They are banned by many countries, particularly European ones, signatories to a convention signed in Oslo in 2008 and to which neither Russia, nor the United States, nor Ukraine are parties.

Cluster munitions to clear Russian defence mines

On the ground, they serve the Ukrainians, particularly for demining operations and provide support in the counter-offensive, as General Dominique Trinquand, former head of military mission of the French delegation to the UN, explains to RFI: "Currently, Ukraine is short of ammunition, so it is very useful for ongoing actions. 2nd point, these cluster munitions can treat complete areas. It can be useful, especially in the case of mine clearance, of course, but of the attack on fortified areas by the Russians. The Russians have set up defensive positions with extremely large minefields. And so to make a breach, that is to say to open a passage in these areas. Cluster munitions can be used. »

The first munitions were used in the Donetsk region, quite north of the current confrontation zone, points out General Trinquand. And very recently, they have just been used in the Bakhmut region, so in the Donetsk region, it was more to counter Russian attacks than to clear mines. On the other hand, in the North, which is a main axis of effort of the Ukrainian army, it is probably to accompany the Ukrainian offensive.

On Sunday, July 16, faced with the declarations of American deliveries, Vladimir Putin stressed that "in Russia, there is a good reserve of cluster munitions" in an interview with Russian public television, threatening to use them on the front if Kiev used this type of weaponry. Ukrainian soldiers have already accused Moscow of using these controversial munitions since the beginning of the conflict.

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Ukrainian military uses cluster munitions delivered by Washington, says White House

Ukrainian military uses cluster munitions delivered by Washington, says White House

Cluster munitions to clear Russian defence mines

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