Ukraine asks US for cluster bombs to help arm its drones

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Ukraine Requests Cluster Bombs from US to Align Assault Drones

Ukraine is keen to utilize the full potential of their armed drones, and as such, is urgently seeking a supply of next-generation cluster bombs from the United States. This could help Ukraine’s military increase the success rate of its aerial attacks against Russian-backed separatists, as armed drones possess a better accuracy than the traditional bombs and missiles.

Background to Armed Drone Usage in the Ukraine Conflict

The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since the Russia occupation in 2014, resulting in the de facto annexation of Crimea, and an armed insurgency in Eastern Ukraine. The conflict, features the Ukrainian government forces, principally against Ukraine’s eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, a region known as the Donbas, which is heavily backed by Russia.

Armed drones have become an efficient tool for Kiev in the ongoing civil war between Ukraine and the Moscow-backed separatists. The main use of these drones were to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assignments. Drones have also been employed for offensive operations, including hunting down and taking out Russian forces, and destroying weapon sites, making them an effective medium for Ukraine to tackle militants and separatists.

Why Does Ukraine Need Cluster Bombs?

Ukraine feels that the usage of Cluster Bombs with their drones would be beneficial, in that they can help the country enhance their drone capabilities, and enable them to carry out more successful and accurate attacks against the Russian-backed militants.

A cluster munition (also known as a cluster bomb) is designed to spread out shrapnel over a large area effect, in order to increase the number and accuracy of targets, as well as increase the potential for destruction of ground-level targets. Unlike traditional bombs, which have a narrow field of effect and single point of impact, cluster bombs spread out their deadly load and affect a much greater area. Cluster bombs are very effective at destroying groups of combatants, and would be extremely useful to the Ukrainian government forces in their struggles with Russian-backed separatists.

US Response to the Ukraine Request

Given the current climate in US relations with Russia, it is key for the US to provide Ukraine with weapons to antagonize and confront the Russian-backed separatists. After all, Russia’s aggressive actions towards Ukraine have worsened ever since Russian’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The United States has a long history of providing aid to Ukraine in order to counter Russia’s imperialist pursuits in the region. Such aid has included a fleet of conventional weapons, intelligence sharing, and financial assistance to Ukrainians.

Whether the US will grant Ukraine’s request for cluster bombs remains unclear. It is worth noting that the United States has historically been reluctant to provide such weapons, due to their extremely lethal nature. If the US decides to grant Ukraine’s request, there is a possibility that other western countries will follow with arms supplies.

Benefits of Cluster Bombs for Ukraine

Cluster bombs are a deadly scourge from the battlefield. This can create a nexus of lethal destruction that can quickly diminish an enemy’s combat force. The best part about them is that unlike traditional bombs, which have a narrow field of effect and single point of impact, these cluster munitions spread out their deadly load and affect a much greater area.

Cluster bombs possess a better accuracy than the traditional bombs or missiles, and the bombs have far greater destructive power. The effects of the explosions are more destructive and cluster munitions possess the capability to destroy a greater number of civilian buildings and structures in the same attack.

In addition to this, cluster bombs can be used to great effects in countering tanks and armored vehicles. These bombs can cover wider areas, boosting the capabilities of Ukraine’s drones in attacking tanks, vehicles,and other vehicles used by the enemy. As a result, it can make the Ukrainian armed forces more effective against Russia-backed militants.

Challenges of the Ukraine Request

The use of cluster bombs by Ukraine against Russian-backed separatists carries a risk of civilian casualties. This could increase the casualties rate of civilians in the region and could worsen the conflict. It could also lead to a public relations nightmare for the US if it is discovered that the cluster bombs supplied by America have caused civilian casualties.

In addition to this, cluster bombs have been met with disapproval by the wider international community, with many countries banning its usage. Of course, the US is included in the list of countries that have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions treaty, and therefore, could risk considerable backlash for providing weapons that are perceived as inhumane or immoral.

Ukraine’s request for cluster bombs from the US, is a risky proposition for the US, owing to the controversial nature of the weapons, and the risk of causing civilian casualties. However, there are clear benefits to granting the Ukrainian government this request, as it could provide them with a valuable tool to combat the Russian-backed separatists. It is yet to be revealed whether the US will grant this request, but it is apparent that the US would ultimately benefit from such a move, in their ongoing efforts to curb Russian influence in the region.

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