Cluster bombs in Ukraine. Biden to send more.
There is nothing good about the war in Ukraine.
It is a disaster mainly for the people of Ukraine.
Millions have fled.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations reports that from February 24, 2022, which marked the start of the invasion by the Russian Federation, to June 28, 2023, OHCHR recorded 24,862 civilian casualties in the country: 9,083 killed and 15,779 injured.
The main victims of this big power proxy war are the Ukraine people themselves.
Yesterday there were reports that President Joe Biden is prepared to send U.S. cluster bombs to the Ukraine government.
Cluster bombs have been used by both sides in the war.
What are cluster bombs?
A cluster bomb is a weapon that breaks apart in the air and releases multiple explosive submunitions or “bomblets” across a wide area. They can be delivered by planes, artillery and missiles, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The bomblets are designed to detonate on hitting the ground and anyone in that area is very likely to be killed or seriously injured. Beyond the initial damage caused by the munitions upon impact, many bomblets fail to detonate immediately. Up to 40% of bomblets have failed to explode in some recent conflicts, according to the ICRC. (The Guardian)
Cluster bombs are indiscriminate in who their victims are. They kill combatants and civilians without discrimination.
Ukraine is the only country in the world where cluster bombs are currently being used.
“Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are killing civilians now and will continue to do so for many years,” said Mary Wareham, acting arms director at Human Rights Watch. “Both sides should immediately stop using them and not try to get more of these indiscriminate weapons.”
But they are getting more.
Over 108 countries have signed the treaty outlawing the use of cluster bombs.
The U.S., Russia and Ukraine are not among them.