US likely to announce supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine today – NPR

The United States can already announce the transfer of disputed cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Rubryka reports, citing American public broadcaster NPR journalist Tom Bauman.

"The US us expected to announce tomorrow (in Ukrainian time, we are talking about today – ed.) it will send cluster munitions to Ukraine, which is low on artillery shells," he wrote.

Background 

One cluster munition throws bombs that can cover five times the area of conventional munitions. Cluster munitions consist of dozens of smaller bombs. They fly apart during detonation. Cluster munitions are considered prohibited because unexploded bombs can pose a danger to civilians for years after hostilities end.

In 2010, a convention to ban cluster munitions was adopted, and 123 states have banned their use, production, and stockpiling. However, the USA, Ukraine, and Russia did not sign the document.

As late as 2022, CNN reported that Ukraine had asked the US to provide cluster warheads for MLRS and artillery shells, but the Joe Biden administration was not ready to comply with this request.

In February 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, called on Western allies to provide Ukraine with such weapons. However, such a request was criticized in Germany.

CBS News reported that the United States may announce the shipment of cluster munitions to Ukraine as early as this week.

The vast majority of Americans continue to support military aid to Ukraine to protect against Russia's full-scale invasion, believing that it demonstrates to China and other rivals of the United States a desire to preserve their and allied interests.

Currently, the United States of America is close to deciding to provide Ukraine with ATACMS long-range tactical missile systems.