Neither the USA nor Ukraine has stated exactly how they intend to use the US-provided 155mm cluster artillery rounds.īut President Biden has admitted this was a very difficult decision that will not be welcomed by the vast majority of NATO members, who are signatories to a ban on the use of cluster munitions.
Time is not a commodity in plentiful supply, and although cluster munitions are very controversial, there are not a wealth of alternative weapons available in the near term. The primary challenge is the extensive Russian trench system and minefield that stands between Ukrainian forces and a breakthrough, and although Ukraine infantry could overcome these obstacles, it would take significant time and involve very high casualties. Ukraine needs to gain momentum if it is to liberate significant tranches of its occupied territory, and risks losing the initiative as its forces get bogged down trying to break down the Russian defensive line. Our military analyst Sean Bell says blowing up Russian minefields may be one of the effective ways Ukraine will use the weapons.Īlthough the West has provided more than 98% of the weapons Ukraine requested before the start of the spring offensive, one month in the offensive is not going as swiftly as anticipated. So how will cluster munitions help Ukraine make progress in a way it hasn't been able to do so far? Others say Ukraine is running out of ammunition, and needs help progressing with its counteroffensive. Some argue they kill indiscriminately, and can endanger the lives of civilians for years to come. There have been pros and cons raised for using the controversial weapon, which has been banned by more than 100 countries. We've heard a lot about cluster bombs since Joe Biden announced the US would supply some to Ukraine.
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