This decision has been made despite widespread fears that these bombs could cause civilian casualties. The Pentagon will send bombs with a reduced rate of “fake munitions,” meaning they will have less munitions that don’t explode first and cause civilian deaths later.
US officials said the munitions will be part of the new $800 million aid package.
Cluster bombs, long requested by Ukraine, burst open in midair, releasing munitions or “small bombs” that are widely dispersed to destroy multiple targets simultaneously.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity in anticipating the official announcement of the move without authorization.
The Ukrainians have requested the weapons for their campaign to break through the Russian lines and advance their counteroffensive. Russian forces already use cluster bombs on the battlefield, according to US officials.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, some cluster munitions leave a large number of “small bombs” unexploded, up to 40% of them in some cases. US officials have said the unexploded ordnance rate of weapons going to Ukraine would be less than 3% and would therefore pose less danger to civilians.
US-supplied artillery to Ukraine can fire cluster munitions, and the Pentagon has plenty of them.
FUENTE: Associated Press
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