Why are cluster munitions controversial?

The U.S. will send a new weapon to Ukraine. Human rights advocates are alarmed.

Joe Biden
(Image credit: Illustrated / Getty Images)

America is sending another deadly weapon to help Ukraine fight Russia. The Associated Press reported the White House has approved Ukraine's request for cluster munitions — bombs and artillery shells that open in the air to release dozens or hundreds of "bomblets" to destroy multiple targets at once. "The Ukrainians have asked for it, other European countries have provided some of that, and the Russians are using it," said Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Ukraine expects to use the munitions as part of its slow-moving counteroffensive against Russia.

The weapons are controversial. The International Committee of the Red Cross said, "Cluster munitions kill and injure large numbers of civilians and cause long-lasting socioeconomic problems." The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibited the stockpiling and use of cluster weapons, but neither the United States, Ukraine nor Russia are parties to the treaty.

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.