Cluster bombs would be ‘very effective’ for Ukraine, NATO commander says

US Military Officer Suggests Ukraine Could Use Cluster Munitions

The top US military officer in Europe, Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, has suggested that Ukraine could make “very effective” use of cluster munitions, which the United States has declined to provide. Speaking to the House Armed Services Committee, Cavoli explained that the munitions release bomblets that can be used against personnel and vehicles. However, the weapons have been banned by over 100 countries on humanitarian grounds, and the US and European states have refused to grant Ukrainian requests for the controversial ammunition.

Controversial Weapons

Cluster munitions are among the most controversial weapons in Western arsenals due to the rate at which they leave “dud” bomblets on the battlefield. The US is not party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans signatories from using the weapons or transferring them to other countries, but the US government largely stopped using cluster bombs in 2003 and has a parallel restriction on their transfer. Despite this, four senior Republican lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to pull the cluster munitions out of storage for Ukraine.

Effective Counter to Russian Attacks

Cavoli avoided commenting on the political or policy calculations that shape a decision to provide or withhold a given weapons system. But he made clear that the cluster bombs would be an effective counter to Russia’s attacks around Bakhmut. “It’s very effective against mixed targets of personnel and equipment, especially when those targets are gathered into dense formations,” the general said. “It is happening in Bakhmut, sir, and it happens on most battlefields when one force goes into the offense. So, as a strictly military matter, it is a useful and very effective munition.”

Other Allies Considering Supplying Cluster Munitions

The GOP quartet suggested that the US wouldn’t be taking an unprecedented step in this war. “Other countries have already supplied these weapons, which did not result in any meaningful Russian escalation,” they argued without identifying the other countries. “We understand other allies are also considering supplying cluster munitions and urge you to facilitate these efforts as well.”

• Estonian officials have acknowledged their interest in sending German-made cluster bombs to Ukraine, but that move would require Berlin’s approval – and Germany has embraced the cluster munitions ban.

Despite the controversy surrounding cluster munitions, it seems that they could be an effective weapon for Ukraine to use against Russian attacks. However, the decision to provide them remains a contentious issue.