Cluster munitions would be useful for Ukraine and effective against Russian troops - Pentagon

This was stated by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper, who specializes in Russia and Ukraine, during a congressional hearing, Reuters reports.

"Our military analysts have confirmed that DPICMs would be useful especially against dug in Russian positions on the battlefield," Cooper said.

The reason why the US has not yet approved the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine is due to congressional restrictions on their provision, as well as concerns about the unity of the allies on this issue, the spokeswoman said.

"From a battlefield effectiveness perspective, we do believe it would be useful," the deputy assistant secretary of the Pentagon added.

Reference: DPICM is a family of artillery and rocket-propelled cluster munitions developed in the United States. These munitions possess both cumulative properties for engaging armored vehicles and fragmentation properties for targeting personnel, hence the name "dual purpose." Some munitions may have a delayed fuze to limit the enemy's mobility. They are designed to destroy infantry and light armored vehicles in open terrain. The DPICM breaks up into dozens of smaller charges that can remain on the battlefield for years if they do not explode immediately. The use of DPICMs is restricted by international agreements: their use must not endanger civilian objects or civilians.

Supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine

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 due to the international treaty banning cluster munitions that was established in 2008.

Later, 4 members of the US Congress from the Republican Party called on the US President to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.