Cluster munitions casualties exceed 900 people in Ukraine in 2022 – watchdog

In an annual report, the Cluster Munition Coalition claimed that Russia had "extensively" employed both old and new cluster munitions.

According to the group, Ukrainian forces were also using the weapons, albeit "to a lesser extent."

In Ukraine last year, cluster charges accounted for around 916 deaths and injuries overall.

The research claims that Ukraine has now surpassed Syria as the nation with the most casualties from the controversial weaponry.

When deployed, cluster munitions explode in the air and unleash numerous tiny bomblets or submunitions.

According to Loren Persi, one of the report's co-authors, "the vast majority of cluster munitions casualties in Ukraine were civilians."

The use, manufacture, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions are all forbidden by the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. 107 nations signed it, but neither Russia nor Ukraine did.

Supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine

In December 2022, Ukraine asked the United States to provide it with cluster munitions for MLRS and artillery shells. At the time, the administration of US President Joe Biden was not ready to fulfill this request and was considering it.

On June 30, media reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden is seriously considering the possibility of sending Ukraine cluster munitions, the use of which is controversial.

Human Rights Watch called on the administration of US President Joe Biden not to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, warning of the danger to civilians.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock said that Germany is against sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commented on the potential supply of cluster munitions to Kyiv, noting that Ukraine is defending itself in an aggressive war.

The UN Human Rights Office in Geneva has responded to reports that the United States may provide cluster munitions to Ukraine by opposing such supplies.

Western media, citing their sources, reported that the United States will begin to ship cluster munitions to Ukraine.

On July 7, the United States announced the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine.

On July 13, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping, confirmed that Ukraine had received cluster munitions from the US.