Ukraine shares report with Pentagon on use of cluster munitions at frontline - CNN

CNN reports.

A Ukrainian official said that the information provided to the Pentagon included both the number of rounds fired and the number of Russian targets destroyed. However, he refused to say what these figures are.

It is noted that the report was handed over in response to a request from the United States as part of an agreement to send artillery cluster munitions known as DPICMs to Ukraine.  

The report also noted that in an interview with CNN last month, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he planned to hand the report over to his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin.

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

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, 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.

On July 6, 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.

On July 7, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Germany is against sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

On July 7, the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva responded to reports that the United States may provide cluster munitions to Ukraine by opposing such supplies.

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

On July 12, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Ukraine would have been defenseless if the United States had not decided to supply it with cluster munitions. 

On July 24, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced that he would submit a report to the Pentagon this week on the use of DPICM cluster munitions provided by the United States to Ukraine.