US could make exception for Ukraine to provide cluster munitions – Defense Express editor-in-chief Katkov

This was stated by Oleh Katkov, editor-in-chief of Defense Express, on the air of Espreso.

"If Ukraine received cluster artillery ammunition, we could talk about a multiple reduction in ammunition consumption. Currently, only two types of artillery ammunition are used: conventional high-explosive and precision artillery ammunition. There will never be a lot of the latter – they are not intended to bombard the enemy with them," he said.

Katkov added that Ukraine has repeatedly called for the handover of cluster munitions by all possible means.

"The transfer of this ammunition simply rests on the law in the United States, which does not allow the export or transfer of cluster munitions, where the failure rate of sub-elements (all the micro-bombs that fill the munitions) is more than 1%. In the United States, submunitions have a 3% failure rate. There are legal restrictions, but I think it is possible to make some exceptions. This is a job for American lawmakers," the expert summarized.

• On December 8, Western media reported that the United States was considering Ukraine's request for the transfer of cluster munitions.

• On January 11, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar denied the allegations that Turkey was supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine, calling the information gossip.

• According to Reuters, there is some support in the US Congress for Ukraine's request, while President Joe Biden's administration is strongly opposed, as cluster munitions are banned by a 2008 international treaty as they can disproportionately affect civilians.