Cluster munitions to change game rules in fight against Russia – Ukraine's Defence Minister

Kyiv believes that the use of cluster munitions will become a game changer in the fight against Russian troops. 

Source: Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, quoted by Politico 

Details: Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Reznikov rejected the disapproval of some countries and humanitarian groups over the US government's decision last week to supply Ukraine with these controversial weapons.

Reznikov has stressed that the use of these weapons will be limited to non-urban areas in Ukraine. According to him, Ukraine's partners will also be informed about the use and effect of cluster munitions.

Quote: "As we got in May 2022 155-millimeter artillery systems, it became a game changer. In July, we got different types of [Multiple Launch Rocket Systems] it became [the] next game changer … And I hope that cluster munitions [become] a next game changer as weaponry or ammunition for liberation of our temporarily occupied territories."

Details: Cluster bombs are banned in many countries, but not in the United States, Ukraine or Russia. These munitions drop explosive bombs to kill enemy soldiers over a wide area, but the unexploded projectiles can pose a long-term threat to civilians.

Russia has been using cluster munitions against Ukraine since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over a year ago.

In July 2023, international human rights activists from Human Rights Watch accused Ukraine of using cluster munitions, which allegedly led to civilian casualties.

Background:

• The Pentagon has revealed details of a new US$800 million military aid package for Ukraine.
• The new US military aid package includes so-called advanced dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (cluster munitions).
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for providing Ukraine with a new defence aid package.
• Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that Ukraine is committed to using cluster munitions in compliance with five principles, including the inability to use them in cities and on the territory of Russia, and will keep records of the areas affected.

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