Cluster munitions will become demoralizing factor for enemy – Ukrainian soldier

Ukrainian Armed Forces fighter Yevhen Ievlev said this on Espreso TV. 

"Cluster munitions will be useful in any direction. This is also one of the factors that will demoralize the enemy. It is one thing when they sit and realize that a mine is about to hit, and an M777 is working there, but the intelligence sees the self-propelled guns turning their barrels. What is a cluster munition? We can launch it from a distance of 25 kilometers, from positions that the enemy cannot see. This is a very demoralizing factor. With a single round, we can inflict a damage that is 5 times stronger than a single shot from a self-propelled gun. We have the opportunity to scare them, to dismantle their rear. We have such a battle at a distance - we dismantle them safely for ourselves and do it every day," he said.

The background behind the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions

The 2008 pact, known as the Convention on Cluster Munitions, was adopted by 123 countries, including a majority of the 28 NATO members. However, countries such as the United States, Russia, and Ukraine did not become parties to the convention. It is important to note that Russia is actively using cluster munitions in the war against 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.

In February 2023, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Western allies to provide the country with cluster munitions.

Following Ukraine's initial request to the United States for cluster munitions, there was an expansion of the appeal. Kyiv specifically asked Washington for MK-20 aircraft cluster bombs with the intention of modifying them for use with drones. It was revealed that there was some level of support for Ukraine's request within the US Congress. However, the Biden administration strongly opposed the proposal as cluster munitions are banned by a 2008 international treaty.

Later, four members of the US Congress from the Republican Party called on the US President to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.

On June 30, it became known that the United States was close to agreeing to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions.

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

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock opposes the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine, which is currently being considered by the White House.

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, report that the United States will begin to ship cluster munitions to Ukraine.