The US has decided to comply with a Ukrainian request to supply it with controversial cluster munitions.
Several human rights groups have criticised the move as the weapon is banned by more than 100 countries including the UK, France and Germany.
What’s a cluster bomb?
It is a bombing technique used for dispersing large numbers of bomblets from a rocket, missile or artillery shell scattering them mid-flight over a wide area.
These bombs or munitions are fired with an intent to explode on impact but evidence shows that a significant proportion doesn’t explode initially — if they land on wet or soft ground.
But, these bombs can explode later on being picked up or trodden on, killing or maiming the victim.
Why are they ‘abhorrent’?
Children have been found to be particularly prone to becoming victims of these bomblets that can resemble a small toy left in a residential or farmland area. Kids often pick these bombs up out of curiosity.
There is a Convention on Cluster Munitions that outlaws the stockpiling or use of these weapons over their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations.
What’s the ‘dud rate‘?
Russian cluster munitions reportedly have a “dud rate” of 40%.
The average global dud rate is understood to be close to 20%.
The US estimates a dud rate for its own cluster bomblets at less than 3%.
Who still uses them?
Besides, the US, both Russia and Ukraine — currently fighting a war — have been using cluster munitions since the war began in February 2022.
Who all are opposing the US move?
The UK, Canada, New Zealand, Spain and Italy have vociferously opposed the use of the weapon.
Commenting on the US decision, UK PM Rishi Sunak said his country was one of 123 countries that have signed an agreement that prohibits the production or use of the cluster bombs.
Sunak is expected to discuss the matter with President Joe Biden in London on Monday ahead of a Nato summit in Lithuania.
Several human rights groups have criticised the move as the weapon is banned by more than 100 countries including the UK, France and Germany.
What’s a cluster bomb?
It is a bombing technique used for dispersing large numbers of bomblets from a rocket, missile or artillery shell scattering them mid-flight over a wide area.
These bombs or munitions are fired with an intent to explode on impact but evidence shows that a significant proportion doesn’t explode initially — if they land on wet or soft ground.
But, these bombs can explode later on being picked up or trodden on, killing or maiming the victim.
Why are they ‘abhorrent’?
Children have been found to be particularly prone to becoming victims of these bomblets that can resemble a small toy left in a residential or farmland area. Kids often pick these bombs up out of curiosity.
There is a Convention on Cluster Munitions that outlaws the stockpiling or use of these weapons over their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations.
What’s the ‘dud rate‘?
Russian cluster munitions reportedly have a “dud rate” of 40%.
The average global dud rate is understood to be close to 20%.
The US estimates a dud rate for its own cluster bomblets at less than 3%.
Who still uses them?
Besides, the US, both Russia and Ukraine — currently fighting a war — have been using cluster munitions since the war began in February 2022.
Who all are opposing the US move?
The UK, Canada, New Zealand, Spain and Italy have vociferously opposed the use of the weapon.
Commenting on the US decision, UK PM Rishi Sunak said his country was one of 123 countries that have signed an agreement that prohibits the production or use of the cluster bombs.
Sunak is expected to discuss the matter with President Joe Biden in London on Monday ahead of a Nato summit in Lithuania.