Both Russia and Ukraine have been using Soviet-era cluster bombs. Ukraine has asked America to supply dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM), a class of cluster munition that could be fired from howitzers or from the himarsrocket launchers that Ukraine has been receiving for around a year. They have the added benefit of fewer duds so that risk to future civilian populations is reduced.
Are these bad because they litter the land with unexploded ordinance? Or is there another reason?
That’s my understanding. I recall reading that Ukraine has argued this isn’t much of an issue as the south and East of Ukraine are already littered with a huge amount of UXO and mines so it really doesn’t change the calculus in terms of cleanup.
Yes, since 1979 UXO (mostly cluster munitions there) caused 64000 casualties and 25000 amputations in just Cambodia
Since 1974, 50000 casualties in Laos
This kind of UXO are especially a risk for children
… cluster bombs suck. But when the land is already basically one gigantic minefield, whatever.
My apologies to the ghost of Princess Di, she was a nice lady. But this is a war.
It’s the next generation of future amputees and casualties that’ll bear the weight of these unexploded cluster munitions.
Very true.
not surprised, both side have been using cluster munitions for a while.
