SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
The casing of a Russian cluster bomb rocket is seen near the strategic port city of Mykolaiv, Ukraine, on March 10, 2022. Ukrainian forces reportedly used cluster bombs to target the Russian military in the village of Husarivka in March. (Photo: Scott Peterson/Getty Images)
Ukrainians Used Cluster Bombs in Russian-Controlled Village: NYT
"All cluster munition use should be condemned," said one arms control expert.
Apr 18, 2022
Arms control advocates on Monday condemned a report that Ukrainian forces deployed cluster munitions in the village of Husarivka in Kharkiv Oblast in March--apparently Ukraine's first verified use of cluster bombs since Russan forces invaded the country in late February.
"Cluster munitions are unacceptable weapons that are killing and maiming civilians across Ukraine."
The New York Timesreported that it visited the area and verified that scattered metal fragments from the detonated weapons were the result of strikes launched by the Ukrainians in early March, after the Russians had taken control of Husarivka.
The submunitions reviewed by Times reporters each contained the equivalent of about 11 ounces of TNT. The Ukrainian military likely aimed to strike Russian forces, the Times reported, and there were no fatalities in the initial strike.
Human rights experts condemn the use of cluster bombs because they create de facto landmines scattered throughout an area, with at least 20% of the munitions failing to detonate on impact.
More than 21,000 people have been killed worldwide by cluster munitions strikes and their remnants, according to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor.
Adil Haque, a Rutgers University law professor and editor at Just Security, called the Times report "very alarming.'
\u201c\u201cThe attack on the Husarivka farm appears to be the first verified use of a cluster munition by Ukrainian troops since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.\u201d \n\nVery alarming. Sounds like sheer luck that no civilians were killed.\u201d— Adil Haque (@Adil Haque) 1650288800
More than 120 nations signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2010, banning the use of the bombs due to the civilian harm they cause even if initial strikes are aimed at military targets.
The U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are among the countries that have not signed onto to the treaty.
Russia's use of the munitions in Ukraine has been internationally condemned, with Amnesty International saying earlier this month that the country's "indiscriminate attacks" on civilians constitute war crimes. Regardless of which side launches the munitions, said Jeff Abramson of the Arms Control Association, "all cluster munition use should be condemned."
\u201cAll cluster munition use should be condemned. Really awful to see NYT report that Ukrainian forces are using them.\n@banclusterbombs @johnismay @nytimes @MarkHiznay @marywareham @hrw @noclusterbombs \nhttps://t.co/RQp1hIv00G\u201d— Jeff Abramson (@Jeff Abramson) 1650289003
"It's not surprising, but it's definitely dismaying to hear that evidence has emerged indicating that Ukraine may have used cluster munitions in this current conflict," Mary Wareham, advocacy director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch, told the Times. "Cluster munitions are unacceptable weapons that are killing and maiming civilians across Ukraine."
Reports of the Ukrainains' use of cluster bombs came a day after the country's forces refused to surrender the port city of Mariupol to the Russians and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that ongoing peace talks between the two countries would be terminated if the remaining soldiers in Mariupol were killed.
As of April 12, more than 2,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict and more than 2,800 have been injured, according to the United Nations.
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Arms control advocates on Monday condemned a report that Ukrainian forces deployed cluster munitions in the village of Husarivka in Kharkiv Oblast in March--apparently Ukraine's first verified use of cluster bombs since Russan forces invaded the country in late February.
"Cluster munitions are unacceptable weapons that are killing and maiming civilians across Ukraine."
The New York Timesreported that it visited the area and verified that scattered metal fragments from the detonated weapons were the result of strikes launched by the Ukrainians in early March, after the Russians had taken control of Husarivka.
The submunitions reviewed by Times reporters each contained the equivalent of about 11 ounces of TNT. The Ukrainian military likely aimed to strike Russian forces, the Times reported, and there were no fatalities in the initial strike.
Human rights experts condemn the use of cluster bombs because they create de facto landmines scattered throughout an area, with at least 20% of the munitions failing to detonate on impact.
More than 21,000 people have been killed worldwide by cluster munitions strikes and their remnants, according to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor.
Adil Haque, a Rutgers University law professor and editor at Just Security, called the Times report "very alarming.'
\u201c\u201cThe attack on the Husarivka farm appears to be the first verified use of a cluster munition by Ukrainian troops since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.\u201d \n\nVery alarming. Sounds like sheer luck that no civilians were killed.\u201d— Adil Haque (@Adil Haque) 1650288800
More than 120 nations signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2010, banning the use of the bombs due to the civilian harm they cause even if initial strikes are aimed at military targets.
The U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are among the countries that have not signed onto to the treaty.
Russia's use of the munitions in Ukraine has been internationally condemned, with Amnesty International saying earlier this month that the country's "indiscriminate attacks" on civilians constitute war crimes. Regardless of which side launches the munitions, said Jeff Abramson of the Arms Control Association, "all cluster munition use should be condemned."
\u201cAll cluster munition use should be condemned. Really awful to see NYT report that Ukrainian forces are using them.\n@banclusterbombs @johnismay @nytimes @MarkHiznay @marywareham @hrw @noclusterbombs \nhttps://t.co/RQp1hIv00G\u201d— Jeff Abramson (@Jeff Abramson) 1650289003
"It's not surprising, but it's definitely dismaying to hear that evidence has emerged indicating that Ukraine may have used cluster munitions in this current conflict," Mary Wareham, advocacy director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch, told the Times. "Cluster munitions are unacceptable weapons that are killing and maiming civilians across Ukraine."
Reports of the Ukrainains' use of cluster bombs came a day after the country's forces refused to surrender the port city of Mariupol to the Russians and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that ongoing peace talks between the two countries would be terminated if the remaining soldiers in Mariupol were killed.
As of April 12, more than 2,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict and more than 2,800 have been injured, according to the United Nations.
From Your Site Articles
Arms control advocates on Monday condemned a report that Ukrainian forces deployed cluster munitions in the village of Husarivka in Kharkiv Oblast in March--apparently Ukraine's first verified use of cluster bombs since Russan forces invaded the country in late February.
"Cluster munitions are unacceptable weapons that are killing and maiming civilians across Ukraine."
The New York Timesreported that it visited the area and verified that scattered metal fragments from the detonated weapons were the result of strikes launched by the Ukrainians in early March, after the Russians had taken control of Husarivka.
The submunitions reviewed by Times reporters each contained the equivalent of about 11 ounces of TNT. The Ukrainian military likely aimed to strike Russian forces, the Times reported, and there were no fatalities in the initial strike.
Human rights experts condemn the use of cluster bombs because they create de facto landmines scattered throughout an area, with at least 20% of the munitions failing to detonate on impact.
More than 21,000 people have been killed worldwide by cluster munitions strikes and their remnants, according to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor.
Adil Haque, a Rutgers University law professor and editor at Just Security, called the Times report "very alarming.'
\u201c\u201cThe attack on the Husarivka farm appears to be the first verified use of a cluster munition by Ukrainian troops since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.\u201d \n\nVery alarming. Sounds like sheer luck that no civilians were killed.\u201d— Adil Haque (@Adil Haque) 1650288800
More than 120 nations signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2010, banning the use of the bombs due to the civilian harm they cause even if initial strikes are aimed at military targets.
The U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are among the countries that have not signed onto to the treaty.
Russia's use of the munitions in Ukraine has been internationally condemned, with Amnesty International saying earlier this month that the country's "indiscriminate attacks" on civilians constitute war crimes. Regardless of which side launches the munitions, said Jeff Abramson of the Arms Control Association, "all cluster munition use should be condemned."
\u201cAll cluster munition use should be condemned. Really awful to see NYT report that Ukrainian forces are using them.\n@banclusterbombs @johnismay @nytimes @MarkHiznay @marywareham @hrw @noclusterbombs \nhttps://t.co/RQp1hIv00G\u201d— Jeff Abramson (@Jeff Abramson) 1650289003
"It's not surprising, but it's definitely dismaying to hear that evidence has emerged indicating that Ukraine may have used cluster munitions in this current conflict," Mary Wareham, advocacy director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch, told the Times. "Cluster munitions are unacceptable weapons that are killing and maiming civilians across Ukraine."
Reports of the Ukrainains' use of cluster bombs came a day after the country's forces refused to surrender the port city of Mariupol to the Russians and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that ongoing peace talks between the two countries would be terminated if the remaining soldiers in Mariupol were killed.
As of April 12, more than 2,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict and more than 2,800 have been injured, according to the United Nations.
From Your Site Articles
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.