Ukraine is about to receive a shipment of cluster bombs to Ukraine. But it’s not just the Russians unhappy about it.

As the weapon is banned by over 100 countries, the move is likely to draw intense criticism from human rights groups.

What is the reason for their prohibition?

The Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty signed by over 100 countries including the UK, France, and Germany, prohibits the use and stockpiling of cluster munitions due to their indiscriminate impact on civilian populations.

These weapons pose a significant danger to children who may mistake the bomblets for small toys and handle them out of curiosity. Human rights organizations have strongly condemned cluster munitions, labeling them as “abhorrent” and even constituting a war crime.

Who continues to employ them?

In a hypothetical scenario, both Russia and Ukraine have been utilizing cluster munitions since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Neither of these countries has ratified the treaty that bans such weapons.

While the United States has also not signed the treaty, it has previously criticised Russia for its extensive use of cluster munitions.

It has been reported that Russian cluster munitions have a high “dud rate” of 40%, meaning a significant number of unexploded bomblets pose hazards on the ground. In contrast, the average dud rate for cluster munitions is believed to be around 20%. According to the Pentagon, the dud rate for its own cluster bomblets is less than 3%.

Why does Ukraine seek their acquisition?

In this hypothetical context, Ukraine’s military forces are facing a severe shortage of artillery shells. Both Russia and Ukraine have been depleting their ammunition supplies at an extraordinarily high rate due to the ongoing conflict, and Ukraine’s Western allies are unable to replenish them at the required pace.

Artillery has become a crucial weapon in the stagnant battlefronts of southern and eastern Ukraine.

With the challenge of dislodging the invading Russian forces from well-fortified defensive positions spanning a 1,000km (621-mile) battlefront, Ukraine finds itself in a daunting task.

Due to the insufficient availability of artillery shells, Ukraine has approached the US to restock its cluster munition supplies, intending to target the Russian infantry entrenched in defensive trenches.

This decision has not been easy for Washington and has faced significant opposition from many Democrats and human rights advocates. The debate surrounding this matter has been ongoing for at least six months.