Russian forces have used cluster munitions in Ukraine hundreds of times, but there are times when these weapons are also used by Ukraine, according to Human Rights Watch.
Ukraine is the only country in the world where cluster munitions are currently in use. This is stated in the global report Cluster Munition Monitor 2022, published by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch.
It was noted that Russian troops used cluster munitions in Ukraine hundreds of times in at least 10 of Ukraine’s 24 regions, from February to July they affected at least 689 civilians.
“Ukrainian forces also appear to have used cluster munitions on at least two occasions,” the organization said.
Cluster munitions were reportedly fired from artillery, rockets and mortars or dropped from aircraft. They are usually open in the air, scattering many bombs over a wide area. Many of them do not explode immediately and pose a danger for years.
A Human Rights Watch investigation in Kharkiv found that in May and June, Russian troops fired cluster munitions that damaged residential buildings, city streets and parks, a maternity clinic and a cultural center.
On May 12, in the city of Dergachi near Kharkov, a woman cooking in her garden died from such a projectile, and her husband’s legs were torn off, he died a few hours later.
The organization said that by 2022, Russia would have used both stocks of old cluster munitions and newly developed ones in Ukraine.
The 2008 Cluster Munitions Convention expressly prohibits these weapons, and since 2008 there have been no confirmed reports or allegations of new use, production, or transfer of cluster munitions by any state party, however, not signed by Russia or Ukraine the convention.
“Both Russia and Ukraine should abandon the use of cluster munitions and join the 2008 international agreement to ban them,” Human Rights Watch said.
Reports of the use of cluster munitions by Russian troops appear almost daily.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.