The US Shipment and Criticisms
The US’s decision to include cluster munitions in its aid package to Ukraine has drawn criticism from human rights advocates and experts.
Mary Wareham, arms advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the US’s history of using cluster munitions and called on the Biden administration to firmly reject their use.
Ukraine’s deployment of these weapons has given rise to public outcry. And raised concerns about the weapons’ potential impact on civilian areas and the risks associated with duds.
While American officials claim the bombs they provided have a low dud rate of 2.35%, there are indications that the failure rate could be significantly higher, ranging from 10% to 30%.
Effectiveness vs. Risks
Cluster munitions are known for effectively clearing uncovered trenches and artillery lines. However, the inherent risk of duds can negate their advantages and lead to unintended casualties and long-lasting dangers in conflict-affected regions.
