Ukraine's potential use of cluster shells in counteroffensive

President Biden's administration recently announced the transfer of 155 mm cluster shells and rocket launchers to Ukraine for M-270 and HIMARS systems. Kyrylo Danylchenko writes in his article for LB.ua that this has sparked both benefits and concerns.

Several countries, including Germany, Spain, Canada, and the UK, which are signatories of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, have expressed their lack of support for this initiative.

Cluster shells are explosive weapons that disperse submunitions, also known as "bomblets," over a targeted area. A significant drawback is that approximately 2.5% of these submunitions fail to explode as intended. This figure can increase to 7% after a certain period of storage, posing long-term risks for both military forces and civilians.

The German M-270 software, for example, does not even recognize or work with cluster rockets without firmware changes. Germany disposes of such indiscriminate weapons due to the potential harm they pose to both enemy troops and civilian populations.

In contrast, the United States has developed the M-30A1, equipped with tungsten warheads to enhance damage effectiveness through air detonation, targeting embankments, trenches, and vulnerable parts of armor. 

“Simultaneously, a program to equip them with self-destruct mechanisms was underway. However, even for a hegemonic country, it is not easy to recycle hundreds of thousands of units. However, we have no time for sentiment - the South is already stuffed with mines like a Christmas pie,” the author emphasizes. 

Ukraine, like the USA, did not sign or ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions. 

The Russian military has ruthlessly employed cluster munitions, including BM-30 Smerch and BM-27 Uragan with cluster equipment, in Kharkiv and northern Ukraine, targeting both Ukrainian units and civilian areas.

"The Russians did not pay attention to any conventions, not only anti-personnel but also cluster munitions. They were firing cluster bombs at Saltivka or the Industrialnyi districts of Kharkiv, trying to catch our units in the middle of the industrial zone," Danylchenko recalls.

In response to the Russian invasion, any means to halt the aggression are welcomed by Ukraine. The world's reaction to Russia's actions is essential, considering the war crimes committed, including torture, extrajudicial killings, targeted elimination of activists, and the use of cluster bombs and anti-ship missiles on civilian areas, among other atrocious crimes. 

“Anything that can stop this invasion here and now is good for us. We will think about demining problems later – unfortunately, it will be a challenge for several generations. The longer the Russians stay in the south, the more mines they are laying, trying to stop our advance. Therefore, it is a conscious choice,” the article reads. 

These munitions offer combined fragmentation and cumulative damage, allowing simultaneous targeting of tanks and nearby threats. At the tactical level, cluster projectiles can swiftly neutralize area maneuvering targets, while at the operational level, Western technology, such as self-propelled guns, drones, smart shells, and cluster munitions can suppress enemy support systems and isolate battlefields near Bakhmut or Robotyne. At the strategic level, the plan involves awaiting increased production and delivery of 155 mm cluster projectiles.

Although not a game-changing weapon, the provision of cluster shells is a long-awaited and effective measure to sustain Ukraine's ongoing offensive operations and intimidate Russian troops. Ukraine has been asking for them for over a month. 

“This is good news,” the article concludes.