How cruel is using cluster ammunition? Ukraine | United States | Ammunition

According to recent reports from Ukrainian media, the Ukrainian military commander stated that Ukraine has received cluster ammunition provided by the United States. Cluster ammunition is highly controversial and banned in many countries, and is also classified as prohibited under US law. Last year, the United States claimed that the use of cluster ammunition in Ukraine "could constitute a war crime," but now the United States openly provides this ammunition to Ukraine, which is surprising.

So, why does cluster ammunition cause great controversy internationally? What consequences may arise if the United States insists on providing cluster ammunition to Ukraine despite opposition from all parties? We invite military observer Cao Weidong to bring his interpretation.

Data chart: US B-1B bomber conducting cluster bomb deployment test

Disputed

For a long time, cluster ammunition has been controversial because many sub bombs do not explode after being dropped, posing a "dud" threat to civilians in combat areas.

Cao Weidong:

Cluster ammunition, also known as cluster bombs, began to be used during World War II, mainly to kill large targets on the ground and slow down enemy attacks. With the development of science and technology, today's cluster ammunition has evolved from a few, a dozen, or dozens of sub bombs in the past to several hundred in the present. Some mother bombs are filled with hundreds or even thousands of steel balls, beating people like sieves; Some will explode like delayed landmines; Some drill into the sand without exploding, becoming a long-term hidden danger and threat.

Data figure: Internal structure of CBU-24 cluster bomb

According to data, cluster ammunition has low cost and is considered a relatively cost-effective weapon. It has characteristics such as instantaneous firepower density, wide coverage area, and high damage efficiency. In addition to attacking cluster targets such as tanks, armored vehicles, and troop assembly points, it can also be used to block large targets such as airport runways. There are reports that the US military has used cluster ammunition in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Kosovo War, Afghanistan War, and Iraq War, causing extensive damage to civilian facilities and numerous civilian casualties.

Cao Weidong:

The United States used more advanced cluster ammunition in these wars than during World War II. The United States dropped cluster ammunition on the Vietnam battlefield using B-52 strategic bombers, covering the entire position like a flower in the air. In order to block the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Vietnam, the United States has also dropped a large amount of cluster ammunition on the border between Vietnam and Laos, and even within Laos, forming a large minefield. Personnel transporting supplies or guerrilla fighters passing through the Ho Chi Minh Trail will be injured by the explosion. In addition, in addition to personnel on the battlefield, nearby civilians have also been injured by ammunition. Unexploded bombs are a hidden danger.

Data image: Fences made of cluster shells by residents of Fengshawan County, Khouang Province, Laos

Difficulty in explosive disposal

There are reports that the sub bombs of cluster ammunition have a shape like small cans, with a ribbon attached to the top, resembling the tail of a kite. Some small bombs are even less than 6 centimeters long and difficult to detect; Some bombs have bright oil paint on their shells, which can be mistaken by children for toys to pick up and cause tragedy. The report states that it is very difficult to clean up this type of unexploded ordnance, and some say that the bomb cleanup work on the Laotian battlefield is expected to take another 100 years to complete.

Cao Weidong:

Cluster ammunition disposal is different from general mine clearance. Firstly, the scattered area of cluster ammunition is particularly large, and even the personnel deploying them may not know where the sub bombs are. Secondly, some ammunition may have been hidden in soft soil due to insufficient impact force, making it difficult to detect these "duds" during search.

Data image: Cluster bombs used by the US military during the Vietnam War on display at the Engineering Museum in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam

Selling inventory

An American anti war organization has issued a statement calling on the American people to prevent the US government from providing cluster ammunition to Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine is at risk of repeating the tragedies of Vietnam and Laos. A retired American veteran claimed that American cluster ammunition cannot be sold and is being used to destroy inventory in Ukraine. What do you think about this?

Cao Weidong:

The United States stipulates that the "dud rate" of cluster ammunition manufactured by arms dealers cannot exceed 1%, but over time, the "dud rate" of cluster ammunition stored in warehouses will increase. According to Pentagon officials, the cluster ammunition provided by the United States to Ukraine was carefully selected, with a "dud rate" of around 2.35%. According to US law, this type of ammunition is not allowed to be used.

Data chart: Depleted uranium bomb

Weapons and ammunition that violate humanitarian principles

Besides cluster ammunition, what other weapons and ammunition on the battlefield that violate humanitarian principles and are not well understood by ordinary people?

Cao Weidong:

Firstly, "dirty bombs" and depleted uranium bombs. "Dirty bomb" refers to a weapon that releases radioactive material during an explosion by encapsulating it in conventional explosives, with the aim of causing radiation pollution in a certain area. Depleted uranium bombs have strong penetrating power and can be used as armor piercing shells to penetrate tank armor. Depleted uranium bombs have a certain level of radioactivity and can cause harm to human health and the environment.

Secondly, aerosol bombs. When aerosols explode again in the air, they can form a high temperature of over 2000 degrees Celsius, not to mention humans, even the armor of tanks will be melted. At the same time, when aerosols explode, they need to absorb a large amount of oxygen, and people will suffocate and die due to lack of oxygen.

Thirdly, nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Nuclear weapons refer to atomic bombs, neutron bombs, and hydrogen bombs; Biological weapons refer to weapons and equipment that use biological warfare agents to kill living forces and disrupt plant growth. Biological warfare agents include viruses, toxins, chlamydia, etc; Chemical weapons mainly refer to weapons that release chemicals such as sarin through explosive means, in order to destroy water sources, kill human white blood cells, and carry out attacks.