Editing Cluster munition (section)

==History of use==

=== Vietnam War ===
{{Seealso|Vietnam War#Weapons}}
During the Vietnam War, the US used cluster bombs in air strikes against targets in Vietnam, [[Laos]], and [[Cambodia]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://thediplomat.com/2010/12/07/vietnams-cluster-bomb-shadow/?all=true | work=GlobalPost | location=Tokyo | title=Vietnam's Cluster Bomb Shadow | first=Irwin | last=Loy | date=7 December 2010 | access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 2, 1963 |title=Aims at Red Guerrillas |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83025327/1963-10-02/ed-1/?sp=2&q=%22cluster+bombs%22&r=0.293,0.15,0.882,0.508,0 |work=The Daily News of the Virgin Islands |location=Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands |access-date=April 29, 2024 |quote=Airman 1/c John V. Stryker of Elizabeth, N.J. loads fragmentation cluster bombs under the wing of a T-28 plane in Soc Trang, South Vietnam |page=2 }}</ref>

Of the 260 million cluster bomblets that rained down on Laos between 1964 and 1973, particularly on [[Xieng Khouang province]], 80 million failed to explode.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/03/laos-cluster-bombs-uxo-deaths | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Forty years on, Laos reaps bitter harvest of the secret war | first=Ian | last=MacKinnon | date=3 December 2008 | access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref> As of 2009 about 7,000 people have been injured or killed by explosives left from the Vietnam War era in Vietnam's [[Quảng Trị province]] alone.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/vietnam/100602/cluster-bombs-landmines-demining-quang-tri?page=full | work=GlobalPost | location=Boston, MA | title=In Vietnam, cluster bombs still plague countryside | first=Daysha | last=Eaton | date=6 June 2010 | access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref>

===South Lebanon conflict, 1978===
During the [[1978 South Lebanon conflict|South Lebanon conflict]] in 1978, the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] used cluster bombs provided by the United States. According to US President [[Jimmy Carter]], this use of the cluster bombs violated the legal agreement between Israel and the US because the weapons had been provided for defensive purposes against an attack on Israel.<ref name=carter>{{cite book|title=The blood of Abraham: insights into the Middle East|url=https://archive.org/details/bloodofabrahamin00cart|url-access=registration|year=1993|publisher=University of Arkansas Press|isbn=978-1-55728-862-2|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bloodofabrahamin00cart/page/92 92–93]|author=Jimmy Carter|author-link=Jimmy Carter}}</ref> Israel also transferred American weapons to Saad Haddad's Lebanese militia, a violation of American law.<ref name=carter/> Carter's administration prepared to notify [[United States Congress|Congress]] that American weapons were being used illegally, which would have resulted in military aid to Israel being cut off.<ref name=carter/> The American consul in Jerusalem informed the Israeli government of their plans and, according to Carter, Prime Minister Begin said that the operation was over.<ref name=carter/>

=== Western Sahara war, 1975–1991 ===
During the 16-year-long conflict on the territory of [[Western Sahara]], the [[Royal Moroccan Army]] (RMA) dropped cluster bombs.<ref name="cluster-2023">{{cite news |title=Timeline: Use of controversial cluster bombs in past conflicts |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/10/timeline-use-of-controversial-cluster-bombs-in-past-conflicts |work=Al Jazeera |date=10 July 2023}}</ref>

The RMA used both artillery-fired and air-dropped cluster munitions. BLU-63, M42 and MK118 submunitions were used at multiple locations in Bir Lahlou, Tifarity, Mehaires, Mijek and Awganit.

More than 300 cluster strike areas have been recorded in the MINURSO Mine Action Coordination Center database.

=== Soviet–Afghan War, 1979–1989 ===
During the Soviet-Afghan War, the Soviets dealt harshly with Mujaheddin rebels and those who supported them, including leveling entire villages to deny safe havens to their enemy and the usage of cluster bombs.<ref>As reported by Human Rights Watch, Afghanistan: The Forgotten War: Human Rights Abuses and Violations of the Laws of War Since the Soviet Withdrawal, 1 February 1991</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2021}}

===Falklands War===
[[Sea Harrier]]s of the [[Royal Navy]] dropped [[BL755]] cluster bombs on Argentinian positions during the [[Falklands War]] of 1982.<ref>{{cite web |title=United Kingdom |url=http://archives.the-monitor.org/index.php/cp/display/region_profiles/theme/2282 |website=Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref>

===Grenada, 1983===
The United States dropped 21 Rockeye cluster bombs during its [[United States invasion of Grenada|invasion of Grenada]].<ref name="hrw-report-2010"/>

=== Nagorno Karabakh War, 1992–1994, 2016, 2020 ===
The armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in [[Nagorno Karabakh]] in 1992–1994 led to the use of cluster munitions against military and civilian targets in the region.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Safikhanov |first1=Hafiz |title=Cluster Munitions Monitoring and Information Campaign in Azerbaijan |journal=Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction |date=March 2008 |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=1–2 |url=https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1562&context=cisr-journal |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> As of 2010, {{Convert|93|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} remain off-limits due to contamination with unexploded cluster ordnance. [[HALO Trust]] has made major contributions to the cleanup effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.halotrust.org/media/news/british_embassy_yerevan_holds_event_for_halo.aspx|title=The HALO Trust – A charity specialising in the removal of the debris of war :: British Embassy, Yerevan, holds event for HALO<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226060347/http://www.halotrust.org/media/news/british_embassy_yerevan_holds_event_for_halo.aspx|archive-date=2012-12-26|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-monitor.org/custom/index.php/region_profiles/print_profile/126|website=Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor|access-date=15 May 2018|url-status=dead|title=Nagorno-Karabakh|archive-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616123514/http://www.the-monitor.org/custom/index.php/region_profiles/print_profile/126}}</ref>

During [[2016 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes|renewed hostilities in April 2016]], HALO Trust reported the use of cluster bombs by Azerbaijan, having found cluster munitions in the villages of [[Nerkin Horatagh]] and [[Kiçik Qarabəy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.halotrust.org/media-centre/news/halo-begins-emergency-clearance-in-karabakh/|title=HALO begins emergency clearance in Nagorno Karabakh|website=Mine Free NK|access-date=15 May 2018|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610100210/https://www.halotrust.org/media-centre/news/halo-begins-emergency-clearance-in-karabakh/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Azerbaijan reported that the Armenian forces had used cluster munition against Azerbaijani civilians in the given period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://report.az/en/foreign-politics/azerbaijani-mfa-armenian-use-of-beehives-serves-only-to-commit-mass-destruction-among-civilians/|title=Azerbaijani MFA: Armenian use of cluster munition serves only committing mass destruction among civilians|website=REPORT.AZ|date=21 June 2020 |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

According to the [[Cluster Munition Coalition|Cluster Munition Monitor]] report in 2010, neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan not acceded to become a member of the [[Convention on Cluster Munitions]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cluster Munition Monitor 2010 |url=http://www.the-monitor.org/media/1641847/CMM_2010_pdf.pdf |publisher=Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor |access-date=4 October 2020 |pages=193–194 }}</ref>

Further use of cluster munition was reported during the [[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war]].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Peter |last1=Beaumont |first2=Michael |last2=Safi |title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: both sides accused of using cluster bombs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/08/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-both-sides-accused-of-using-cluster-bombs |work=The Guardian |date=8 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/azerbaijan-says-armenian-forces-shell-second-city-of-ganja-644446|title=Azerbaijan says Armenian forces shell second city of Ganja|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post &#124; Jpost.com |agency=Reuters |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/1603533|title=Hikmat Hajiyev: Dropping banned bombs on populated areas once again shows that Armenia is a terrorist state |date=4 October 2020 |website=AZERTAC |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> The Armenian-populated city of [[Stepanakert]] came under [[2020 bombardment of Stepanakert|bombardment]] throughout the war, beginning on the first day. Human Rights Watch reported that residential neighborhoods in Stepanakert which lacked any identifiable military targets were hit by the [[Azerbaijani Land Forces|Azerbaijani Army]] with cluster munitions. Human Rights Watch also identified Azerbaijani usage of cluster munitions in [[Hadrut]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-23|title=Azerbaijan: Cluster Munitions Used in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en}}</ref> Human Rights Watch also reported the use of cluster munitions by the Armenian forces during the months-long [[bombardment of Tartar]], [[2020 Barda missile attacks|missile attacks on Barda]] and on [[Goranboy District|Goranboy]].<ref name="hrwtartar">{{Cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/11/armenia-unlawful-rocket-missile-strikes-azerbaijan |title=Armenia: Unlawful Rocket, Missile Strikes on Azerbaijan |date=11 December 2020 |work=[[Human Rights Watch]] |access-date=11 December 2020 }}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] also confirmed that the Armenian forces had used cluster munitions in Barda,<ref name="amnestybarda">{{Cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-first-confirmed-use-of-cluster-munitions-by-armenia-cruel-and-reckless/ |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: First confirmed use of cluster munitions by Armenia 'cruel and reckless' |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=29 October 2020 |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |language=en }}</ref> which resulted in the deaths of 25 Azerbaijani civilians, according to Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=28 October 2020|title=Azerbaijan says Armenia used cluster bombs in deadly Barda attack|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/28/azerbaijan-says-21-dead-in-armenia-attack-near-nagorno-karabakh|website=aljazeera.com|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|quote=Wednesday's strike marked the deadliest reported attack on civilians in a month of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.}}</ref>

=== First Chechen War, 1995 ===
* Used by Russia, see also [[1995 Shali cluster bomb attack]]

=== Yugoslavia, 1999 ===
{{See also|Niš cluster bombing}}
* Used by the US, the UK and Netherlands.
About 2,000 cluster bombs containing 380,000 sub-munitions were dropped on Yugoslavia during the [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]], in 1999, of which the [[Royal Air Force]] dropped 531 RBL755 cluster bombs.<ref name="Brady">{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/nato-comes-clean-on-cluster-bombs-402552.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227115228/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/nato-comes-clean-on-cluster-bombs-402552.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 27, 2009 | work=The Independent | title=Nato comes clean on cluster bombs | date=2007-09-16 | access-date=2011-04-16 | location=London | first=Brian | last=Brady}}</ref><ref>[http://www.srpskadijaspora.info/vest.asp?id=9395 SRBIJI NE PRETE SAMO KASETNE BOMBE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722172123/http://www.srpskadijaspora.info/vest.asp?id=9395 |date=2011-07-22 }}, (in Serbian only)</ref> Both the Americans and the British utilised cluster bombs.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Kosovo Conflict and International Law An Analytical Documentation 1974-1999 |date=2001 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=328}}</ref>

On 7 May 1999, between the time of 11:30 and 11:40, a NATO attack was carried out with two containers of cluster bombs and fell in the central part [[Niš]]:
* The Pathology building next to the Medical Center of Nis in the south of the city,
* Next to the building of "Banovina" including the main market, bus station next to the Niš Fortress and "12th February" Health Centre
* Parking of "Niš Express" near river Nišava River.

Reports claimed that 15 civilians were killed, 8 civilians were seriously injured, 11 civilians had sustained minor injuries, 120 housing units were damaged and 47 were destroyed and that 15 cars were damaged.

Overall during the operation, at least 23 Serb civilians were killed by cluster munitions. At least six Serbs, including three children were killed by bomblets after the operation ended, and up to {{convert|23|sqkm}} in six areas remain "cluster contaminated", according to Serbian government, including on Mt. Kopaonik near the slopes of the ski resort. The UK contributed £86,000 to the Serbian Mine Action Centre.<ref name="Brady"/>

=== Afghanistan, 2001–2002 ===
* The United States used cluster munitions during the initial stages of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/nov2011/clus-n18.shtml|title=Obama moves to legalize cluster munitions|first=Scott|last=Martin|date=18 November 2011 |access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hWTuA1zguTk3NyD2yvRkAVD_b7bw?docId=5e05f2bc09784773b7d7d8aeec561823|archive-url=https://archive.today/20111116235705/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hWTuA1zguTk3NyD2yvRkAVD_b7bw?docId=5e05f2bc09784773b7d7d8aeec561823|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2011|title=Cluster bombs remain in 69 nations|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref>

=== Iraq, 1991, 2003–2006 ===
{{Seealso|United States war crimes#Iraq War|British war crimes#War on Terror}}
[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 971111-N-6939M-303.jpg|right|thumb|A US Navy [[F/A-18C Hornet]] launches from ''[[USS Nimitz]]'' to a mission in Southern Iraq. Among other weapons, the plane carries [[CBU-100 Cluster Bomb|CBU-100 "Rockeye"]] cluster bombs.]]
* Used by the United States and the United Kingdom

'''1991''': During the [[Gulf War]], the United States, France, and the United Kingdom dropped 61,000 cluster bombs, containing 20&nbsp;million submunitions, according to [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2009/12/09/iraq-cluster-treaty-approval-should-inspire-neighbors-join|title=Iraq: Cluster Treaty Approval Should Inspire Neighbors to Join|date=9 December 2009|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> The US accounted for 57,000 of these droppings. The [[United States Department of Defense|US Department of Defense]] estimated that 1.2 to 1.5 million submunitions did not explode. According to human rights organizations, unexploded submunitions have caused over 4,000 civilian casualties, including 1,600 deaths, in Iraq and Kuwait.<ref>{{cite book |title=Persian Gulf War Encyclopedia A Political, Social, and Military History |date=2014 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=97}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=U.S. Conflicts in the 21st Century: Afghanistan War, Iraq War, and the War on Terror |date=2015 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=176}}</ref>

'''2003–2006''': United States and allies attacked Iraq with 13,000 cluster munitions, containing two million submunitions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the [[HRW]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/es/news/2003/12/11/estados-unidos-cientos-de-muertes-de-civiles-en-irak-pudieron-prevenirse|title=Estados Unidos – Cientos de muertes de civiles en Irak pudieron prevenirse|date=11 December 2003|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> The majority were DPICMs, or [[Dual-purpose improved conventional munition]]s.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=I've Seen Cluster Bombs Maim Children. Why Is Biden Sending Them to Ukraine? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/biden-ukraine-russia-cluster-bombs-human-rights-1234785326/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=10 July 2023}}</ref> At multiple times, coalition forces used cluster munitions in residential areas, and the country remains among the most contaminated to this day, bomblets posing a threat to both US military personnel in the area, and local civilians.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-12-10-cluster-bomb-cover_x.htm | work=USA Today | first1=Paul | last1=Wiseman | title=Cluster bombs kill in Iraq, even after shooting ends | date=16 December 2003}}</ref>

When these weapons were fired on [[Baghdad]] on 7 April 2003 many of the bomblets failed to explode on impact. Afterward, some of them exploded when touched by civilians. ''[[USA Today]]'' reported that "the Pentagon presented a misleading picture during the war of the extent to which cluster weapons were being used and of the civilian casualties they were causing." On 26 April, General [[Richard Myers]], chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the US had caused only one civilian casualty.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-12-10-cluster-bomb-cover_x.htm | work=USA Today | first1=Paul | last1=Wiseman | title=Cluster bombs kill in Iraq, even after shooting ends | date=16 December 2003}}</ref>

=== Lebanon, 1978, 1982 and 2006 ===
{{Seealso|Allegations of war crimes in the 2006 Lebanon War}}
[[File:Lebanese girl injured by cluster bomblet.jpg|thumb|right|Lebanese girl wounded by a cluster bomblet in 2006]] 
* Extensively used by Israel during the [[1978 South Lebanon conflict|1978 Israeli invasion]] of Lebanon, the [[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)|1982–2000 occupation of Lebanon]] and also by [[Hezbollah]] in the [[2006 Lebanon War]].

During the Israeli-Lebanese [[1982 Lebanon War|conflict in 1982]], Israel used cluster munitions, many of them American-made, on targets in southern Lebanon. Israel also used 4.6 million cluster bombs in the [[2006 Lebanon War]].<ref name="mcc.org">[http://mcc.org/clusterbombs/news/lebanon/thenandnow.html MCC | Cluster Bombs<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121035747/http://mcc.org/clusterbombs/news/lebanon/thenandnow.html |date=November 21, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/28/world/use-of-cluster-bombs-is-confirmed-by-israel.html | work=The New York Times | title=Use of Cluster Bombs Is Confirmed by Israel | date=1982-06-28 | access-date=2010-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/Reagan_News1982.html|title=President Reagan News Conferences & Interviews on the Middle East/Israel (1982)|website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Khayyat |first=Munira |title=A Landscape of War. Ecologies of Resistance and Survival in South Lebanon |publisher=University of California Press |year=2022}}</ref>

Two types of cluster munitions were transferred to Israel from the US The first was the CBU-58 which uses the BLU-63 bomblet. This cluster bomb is no longer in production. The second was the MK-20 Rockeye, produced by Honeywell Incorporated in Minneapolis.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} The CBU-58 was used by Israel in Lebanon in both 1978 and 1982.<ref name="mcc.org"/> The Israeli Defense company [[Israel Military Industries]] also manufactures the more up-to-date M-85 cluster bomb.

[[Hezbollah]] fired Chinese-manufactured cluster munitions against Israeli civilian targets, using 122&nbsp;mm rocket launchers during the 2006 war, hitting [[Kiryat Motzkin]], [[Nahariya]], [[Karmiel]], [[Maghar, Israel|Maghar]], and [[Safsufa]]. A total of 113 rockets and 4,407 submunitions were fired into Israel during the war.<ref name="hrw.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2006/10/18/lebanonisrael-hezbollah-hit-israel-cluster-munitions-during-conflict|title=Lebanon/Israel: Hezbollah Hit Israel with Cluster Munitions During Conflict|date=18 October 2006|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3443979,00.html|title=State snubbed war victim, family says|access-date=13 July 2008|date=30 August 2007|work=[[Ynet]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602073716/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3443979%2C00.html|archive-date=2 June 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the [[United Nations Mine Action Service]], Israel dropped up to four million submunitions on Lebanese soil, of which one million remain unexploded.<ref name="cfr-2011-11-14">{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/campaign-ban-cluster-bombs |title=The Campaign to Ban Cluster Bombs|last=Beehner|first=Lionel|date=2006-11-21|website=cfr.org|publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]]|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref> According to a report prepared by Lionel Beehner for the Council on Foreign Relations, the United States restocked Israel's arsenal of cluster bombs, triggering a State Department investigation to determine whether Israel had violated secret agreements it had signed with the United States on their use.<ref name="cfr-2011-11-14" />

As Haaretz reported in November 2006, the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff [[Dan Halutz]] wanted to launch an investigation into the use of cluster bombs during the Lebanon war.<ref name="haaretz-2006-11-20">{{cite news |last1=Hasson |first1=Nir |last2=Rapoport |first2=Meron |date=2006-11-20 |title=Halutz Orders Probe Into Use of Cluster Bombs in Lebanon |url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4933286 |work=Haaretz |location=Tel Aviv |access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref> Halutz claimed that some cluster bombs had been fired against his direct order, which stated that cluster bombs should be used with extreme caution and not be fired into populated areas. The IDF apparently disobeyed this order.<ref name="haaretz-2006-11-20" />

[[Human Rights Watch]] said there was evidence that Israel had used cluster bombs very close to civilian areas and described them as "unacceptably inaccurate and unreliable weapons when used around civilians" and that "they should never be used in populated areas".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/24/isrlpa13798.htm|title=Israeli Cluster Munitions Hit Civilians in Lebanon|date=2006-07-24|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch|HRW]]|access-date=2016-12-04|archive-date=2008-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113070829/http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/24/isrlpa13798.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using cluster munitions in an attack on Bilda, a Lebanese village, on 19 July<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/07/1e054faa-dbad-4810-b5f4-4052663eec42.html | title = Middle East: Rice Calls For A 'New Middle East' | date=2006-07-25 | publisher=[[Radio Free Europe]]}}</ref> which killed 1 civilian and injured 12, including 7 children. The Israeli "army defended ... the use of cluster munitions in its offensive with [[Lebanon]], saying that using such munitions was 'legal under [[international law]]' and the army employed them 'in accordance with international standards{{'"}}.<ref>"EXTRA: Israel defends use of cluster munitions". ''[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]]''. 25 July 2006. LexisNexis Academic.</ref> Foreign Ministry Spokesman [[Mark Regev]] added, "[I]f [[NATO]] countries stock these weapons and have used them in recent conflicts – in [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|FR Yugoslavia]], [[Afghanistan]] and [[Iraq]] – the world has no reason to point a finger at Israel."<ref name="Friedman">Friedman, Ina. "Deadly Remnants". ''[[The Jerusalem Report]]''. 13 November 2006: 20–22</ref>

=== Georgia, 2008 ===
* [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and Russia both were accused of using cluster munitions during the [[Russo-Georgian War|2008 Russo-Georgian War]]. Georgia admitted use; Russia denied it.

Georgia admitted using cluster bombs during the war, according to Human Rights Watch but stressed they were only used against military targets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19363|title=Civil.Ge -|first=Civil|last=Georgia|website=www.civil.ge|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> The [[Georgian army]] used [[LAR-160]] [[multiple rocket launcher]]s to fire MK4 LAR 160 type rockets (with M-85 bomblets) with a range of 45 kilometers the Georgian Minister of Defense (MoD) said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19365|title=Civil.Ge – MoD Says it Used Cluster Bombs, but not in Populated Areas|first=Civil|last=Georgia|website=www.civil.ge|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref>

Human Rights Watch accused the [[Russian Air Force]] of using RBK-250 cluster bombs during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/14/georgi19625.htm|title=Georgia: Russian Cluster Bombs Kill Civilians (Human Rights Watch, 14-8-2008)|website=www.hrw.org|date=15 August 2008|access-date=15 May 2018|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719201550/https://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/14/georgi19625.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> A high-ranking Russian military official denied use of cluster bombs.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/europeCrisis/idUSLF640501 Russia "used cluster bombs" in Georgia – rights group], [[Reuters]], August 15, 2008</ref> The Dutch government, after investigating the death of a Dutch citizen, claimed that a cluster munition was propelled by an [[9K720 Iskander]] [[tactical missile]] (used by Russia at the time of conflict, and not used by Georgia).<ref>[http://www.minbuza.nl/dsresource?objectid=buzabeheer:32226&type=pdf Dutch government report on Storimans death concludes cluster bomb propelled by Russian SS-26 (pdf)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609054810/http://www.minbuza.nl/dsresource?objectid=buzabeheer%3A32226&type=pdf |date=June 9, 2010 }}</ref>

==== Sri Lanka, 2008/2009 ====
In 2009, the [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] prepared a report on incidents in Sri Lanka between January and May 2009 that could constitute violations of international humanitarian law or crimes against humanity. This report documented the use of cluster munitions by Sri Lanka’s government forces. Photos and eyewitness accounts described the use of such weapons in several attacks on civilian areas, including an incident on March 7, 2009, in [[Valayanmadam]], where two cluster bombs exploded, causing significant civilian casualties and injuries. The reports suggest that cluster munitions were used in areas declared as safe zones for civilians.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/131025.pdf | title=Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka }}</ref> 

According to Gordon Weiss, who was the spokesperson for the UN in [[Colombo]], the "largest remaining functioning hospital" in the [[Vanni (Sri Lanka)|Vanni]] region of Sri Lanka was bombed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-11-02 |title=In Sri Lanka, Aid Agencies Say Hospital Hit by Shells |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-02-02-voa12-68796692/411781.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> The Sri Lankan military has been accused of bombing the hospital with cluster munitions, but cluster bombs were not used in the bombing of the hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-02-04 |title=Sri Lanka: Cluster bomb strike on hospital is despicable |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2009/02/sri-lanka-cluster-bomb-strike-hospital-despicable-20090204/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref> The government has denied using cluster munitions, but in 2012 unexploded cluster bombs were found, according to Allan Poston, who was the technical advisor for the [[UN Development Program]]’s mine action group in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-04-26 |title=Cluster bombs found in Sri Lanka, UN expert says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-17861187 |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> An article published by The Guardian in 2016 provided photographic evidence and testimonies from former de-miners and civilians pointing to the use of Russian-made cluster bombs in areas that the government had declared as "no-fire zones."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stoakes |first=Emanuel |date=2016-06-20 |title=Cluster bombs used in Sri Lanka's civil war, leaked photos suggest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/20/cluster-bombs-used-sri-lanka-civil-war-leaked-photos-suggest |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Libya, 2011 ===
It was reported in April 2011 that [[Colonel Gaddafi]]'s forces had used cluster bombs in the conflict between government forces and rebel forces trying to overthrow Gaddafi's government, during the [[battle of Misrata (2011)|battle of Misrata]]<ref>Taylor, Jerome [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/these-indiscriminate-killers-leave-their-deadly-legacy-from-libya-to-lebanon-2338175.html These indiscriminate killers leave their deadly legacy from Libya to Lebanon] The Independent, 16 August 2011, Retrieved 17 August 2011</ref> These reports were denied by the government, and the Secretary of State of the US,<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = New York Times| title = Qaddafi Troops Fire Cluster Bombs into Civilian Areas | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/16/world/africa/16libya.html?_r=1&hp | access-date = 15 April 2011 | first=C. J. | last=Chivers | date=15 April 2011}}</ref> Hillary Clinton said she was "not aware" of the specific use of cluster or other indiscriminate weapons in Misurata even though a ''New York Times'' investigation refuted those claims.<ref>Chivers, C.J. [http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/following-up-part-iii-down-the-rabbit-hole-qaddafis-cluster-munitions-and-the-age-of-internet-claims "Down the Rabbit Hole: Qaddafi's Cluster Munitions and the Age of Internet Claims"]. ''The New York Times'', June 23, 2011. Retrieved: July 13, 2011.</ref>

===Syria, 2012===
During the [[Syrian civil war|Syrian uprising]], a few videos of cluster bombs first appeared in 2011, but escalated in frequency near the end of 2012.<ref name=hrw2012>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/13/syria-new-evidence-military-dropped-cluster-bombs |title=Syria: New Evidence Military Dropped Cluster Bombs |date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=October 13, 2012 |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014002437/http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/13/syria-new-evidence-military-dropped-cluster-bombs |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=brownmosesoct13/> As Human Rights Watch reported on 13 October 2012, "[[Eliot Higgins]], who blogs on military hardware and tactics used in Syria under the pseudonym 'Brown Moses', compiled a list of the videos showing cluster munition remnants in Syria's various governorates."<ref name=hrw2012/><ref name=brownmosesoct13>{{cite web |url=http://brown-moses.blogspot.se/2012/10/cluster-bomb-usage-rises-significantly.html |title=Cluster Bomb Usage Rises Significantly Across Syria |work=Brown Moses Blog |date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=October 13, 2012}}</ref> The type of bombs have been reported to be [[RBK-250]] cluster bombs with AO-1 SCH bomblets (of Soviet design).<ref name=brownmosesoct13/> Designed by the Soviet Union for use on tank and troop formations, PTAB-2.5M bomblets were used on civilian targets in [[Mare']] in December 2012 by the Syrian government.<ref name=NYT122012>{{cite news|title=Syria Unleashes Cluster Bombs on Town, Punishing Civilians|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/21/world/middleeast/syria-uses-cluster-bombs-to-attack-as-many-civilians-as-possible.html|access-date=December 21, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|author=C. J. Chivers|date=December 20, 2012}}</ref> According to the seventh annual Cluster Munition Report, there is ″compelling evidence″ that Russia has used cluster munitions during their involvement in Syria.<ref>{{cite news|title=Report Finds Ban Hasn't Halted Use of Cluster Bombs in Syria or Yemen|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/world/middleeast/cluster-bombs-syria-yemen.html|access-date=June 12, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|author=Sewell Chan|date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>

=== South Sudan, 2013 ===
Cluster bombs remnants were discovered by a UN de-mining team in February 2014 on a section of road near the Jonglei state capital, Bor. The strategic town was the scene of heavy fighting, changing hands several times during the [[South Sudanese Civil War]], which erupted in the capital Juba on 15 December 2013 before spreading to other parts of the country. According to UNMAS, the site was contaminated with the remnants of up to eight cluster bombs and an unknown quantity of bomblets.<ref>[http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article50027 "Ugandan army won't take part in cluster bomb investigation: spokesperson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520042138/http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article50027 |date=2014-05-20 }}, Sudan Tribune, 19 Feb 2014</ref>

=== Ukraine, 2014 ===
Human Rights Watch reported that "Ukrainian government forces used cluster munitions in populated areas in [[Donetsk]] city in early October 2014." Also "circumstances indicate that anti-government forces might also have been responsible for the use of cluster munitions".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-20 |title=Ukraine: Widespread Use of Cluster Munitions |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/10/20/ukraine-widespread-use-cluster-munitions |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref>

===Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, 2015–2022===
{{See also|Human rights violations during the Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)}}
British-supplied<ref>"[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/19/saudi-arabia-admits-use-uk-made-cluster-bombs-yemen Saudi Arabia admits it used UK-made cluster bombs in Yemen]". ''The Guardian.'' 19 December 2016.</ref> and US-supplied cluster bombs<ref>"[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32572408 Yemen: Saudi Arabia used cluster bombs, rights groups says]". BBC News. 3 May 2015.</ref> have been used by [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen|Saudi Arabian-led military coalition]] against Houthi militias in [[Yemen]], according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32572408|title=Saudis 'used cluster bombs' in Yemen|work=BBC News|date=3 May 2015|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/world/middleeast/saudi-led-group-said-to-use-cluster-bombs-in-yemen.html|title=Saudi-Led Group Said to Use Cluster Bombs in Yemen|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 May 2015|access-date=15 May 2018|last1=Fahim|first1=Kareem}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/12/saudi-arabia-uses-terrorism-as-an-excuse-for-human-rights-abuses.html |title=Saudi Arabia uses terrorism as an excuse for human rights abuses |work=Al Jazeera America |date=December 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Yemen: Cluster Munitions Wound Children |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/03/17/yemen-cluster-munitions-wound-children |work=Human Rights Watch |date=17 March 2017}}</ref>

Saudi Arabia is{{When|date=October 2023}} not signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/en-gb/take-action.aspx|title=Cluster Munition Coalition – Take Action – CMC|website=www.stopclustermunitions.org|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref>

===Ethiopia, 2021===
''[[The New York Times]]'' journalist Christiaan Triebert revealed that the [[Ethiopian Air Force]] bombings of [[February 2021 Saharti-Samre massacres|Samre]] during the [[Tigray War]] are evidenced by multiple photos of the tails of Soviet-era [[cluster bombs]], likely RBK-250.<ref>Nyssen, J., 2021: [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349669904_Cluster_bombing_on_Tigray_by_the_Ethiopian_army_-_more_than_500_homesteads_destroyed_in_Gijet. Cluster bombing on Tigray by the Ethiopian army - more than 500 homesteads destroyed in Gijet.]</ref>

Ethiopia is not signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/en-gb/take-action.aspx|title=Cluster Munition Coalition – Take Action – CMC|website=www.stopclustermunitions.org|access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref>

===Russian invasion of Ukraine, 2022===
{{see also|Use of cluster munitions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|War crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Attacks on civilians in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
[[File:Iskander-M ballistic missile with cluster warhead wreckage 02.jpg|thumb|Iskander-M ballistic missile with cluster warhead wreckage that was shot down over [[Kramatorsk]] by the Ukrainian air defenses.]]
Human Rights Watch reported the use of cluster munitions by the [[Russian Armed Forces]] during the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 invasion of Ukraine]]. HRMMU reported 16 credible allegations that Russian armed forces used cluster munitions in
populated areas, resulting in civilian casualties and other damage.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March"/>

On 24 February 2022, a Russian 9M79-series [[OTR-21 Tochka|Tochka]] ballistic missile with a 9N123 cluster munition warhead containing 50 [[9N24]] fragmentation submunitions impacted outside a hospital in [[Vuhledar]] in [[Donetsk Oblast]], Ukraine. The attack killed four civilians and wounded ten.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/25/ukraine-russian-cluster-munition-hits-hospital|title=Ukraine: Russian Cluster Munition Hits Hospital|work=Human Rights Watch|date=25 February 2022|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> Further use of cluster munitions, such as the [[BM-27 Uragan|Uragan]] 9M27K and [[BM-30 Smerch]] 9M55K cluster rockets, is being investigated by [[Bellingcat]] through a public appeal for evidence on [[Twitter]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=bellingcat|number=1497523559647920130|date=February 26, 2022|access-date=February 27, 2022|title=We are seeking images of Uragan 9M27K and Smerch 9M55K cluster rocket and their submunitions from the current fighting in Ukraine, as well as videos of suspected cluster munition attacks.}}</ref> According to HRW and Amnesty International, Russian troops used cluster munition during an attack on the city of [[Okhtyrka]] on the morning of 25 February 2022.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March"/> A 220&nbsp;mm Uragan rocket dropped cluster munitions on a kindergarten in the town. As a result of that, people were killed, including a child.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/ukraine-cluster-munitions-kill-child-and-two-other-civilians-taking-shelter-at-a-preschool/|title=Ukraine: Cluster munitions kill child and two other civilians taking shelter at a preschool|work=Amnesty International|date=27 February 2022|access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> The same day, non-precision guided missiles bearing cluster munitions were deployed against Kharkiv, killing at least nine civilians and injuring 37.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/60591017 |title=Anatomy of an attack: Is Russia using cluster bombs in Ukraine? |first1=Josh |last1=Cheetham |first2=Kayleen |last2=Devlin |first3=Jack |last3=Goodman |first4=Maria |last4=Korenyuk |work=[[BBC News]] |date=3 March 2022}}</ref>

The United Nations [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|High Commissioner for Human Rights]] announced on 30 March 2022 that they had credible reports indicating that Russian armed forces had used cluster munitions in populated areas of Ukraine at least 24 times since the start of the conflict on 24 February.<ref>[https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1115092 "Ukraine war: Russia used cluster weapons at least 24 times, says UN's Bachelet," UN News]</ref><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March">{{cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/HRMMU_Update_2022-03-26_EN.pdf |title=HRMMU Update on the human rights situation in Ukraine, 24 February – 26 March 2022 |date=28 March 2022 |publisher=[[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]]}}</ref>

In early March 2022, [[The New York Times]] reported the first use of a cluster munition by Ukrainian troops during [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|the invasion]] near Husarivka farm. It landed close to the Russian army's headquarters. According to the report, nobody died in that strike.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Ismay |first2=John |date=2022-04-18 |title=To Push Back Russians, Ukrainians Hit a Village With Cluster Munitions |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/18/world/europe/ukraine-forces-cluster-munitions.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-01-19 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |archive-date=2022-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422054032/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/18/world/europe/ukraine-forces-cluster-munitions.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:P20220314CS-0175 (52027842782).jpg|thumb|On 28 February 2022, White House press secretary [[Jen Psaki]] called Russia's use of cluster munitions a potential "war crime".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nichols |first1=John |title=Cluster Bombs Are "War-Crime" Weapons |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/cluster-bombs-ukraine-biden-congress/ |work=The Nation |date=10 July 2023}}</ref>]]
On 14 March 2022, [[March 2022 Donetsk attack|an attack with a Tochka-U missile]] equipped with cluster sub-munitions was reported in the city of [[Donetsk]]. HRMMU confirmed at least 15 civilian deaths, and 36 injured in this incident, and at the time of its report was working to corroborate other alleged casualties and whether they were caused by cluster sub-munitions.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March"/>

On 7 December 2022, it was revealed that Ukraine was seeking access to US stockpiles of cluster munitions, due to a shortage of ammunition for HIMARS type and 155&nbsp;mm artillery systems. The US has stockpiled its cluster munitions and had been considering the Ukrainian request. Ukraine claimed it would give them an edge over Russian artillery, as well as preventing depletion of other US and Western stocks.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/07/politics/ukraine-cluster-munitions-us-war-russia/index.html |title= Exclusive: Biden administration weighs Ukrainian requests for access to US stockpile of controversial cluster munitions |author= Natasha Bertrand, Alex Marquardt and Zachary Cohen |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=7 December 2022 |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref>

On 6 July 2023, US president [[Joe Biden]] approved the provision of [[Dual-purpose improved conventional munition|DPICM]] cluster munitions to Ukraine to help Ukrainian forces with the ongoing [[2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive|counteroffensive]] to liberate Russian-[[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|occupied]] southeastern Ukraine, bypassing US law prohibiting the transfer of cluster munitions with a failure rate greater than one percent.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/07/06/biden-cluster-bombs-ukraine/ |title=Biden approves cluster munition supply to Ukraine |date=6 July 2023 |last1=DeYoung |first1=Karen |last2=Horton |first2=Alex |last3=Ryan |first3=Missy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=6 July 2023}}</ref> The weapon system could be used in both [[HIMARS]] and [[155&nbsp;mm]] shell projectiles. Defense Department official [[Laura Cooper]] said that the munitions "would be useful, especially against dug-in Russian positions on the battlefield."<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. actively considering giving cluster munitions to Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/29/cluster-munitions-for-ukraine-under-active-consideration-by-u-s-00104346 |work=Politico |date=29 June 2023}}</ref> According to the Pentagon, Ukraine will receive an "improved" version of cluster munitions with a failure rate of about 2 percent, while the Russian cluster bombs fail at 40 percent or more.<ref name =nyt202307>{{Cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |date=2023-07-06 |title=Biden Weighs Giving Ukraine Weapons Banned by Many U.S. Allies |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/06/us/politics/biden-ukraine-cluster-bombs.html |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> However, according to a report prepared for Congress, experts in cleanup operations "have frequently reported failure rates of 10% to 30%."<ref>{{cite news |title=The US says the cluster bombs it's giving Ukraine fail less than 3% of the time. Experience suggests the real number is far higher. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/cluster-bombs-us-ukraine-fail-30-percent-of-the-time-2023-7 |work=Business Insider |date=8 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cluster Weapons U.S. Is Sending Ukraine Often Fail to Detonate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/us/cluster-weapons-duds-ukraine.html |work=The New York Times |date=7 July 2023}}</ref> The failure rate of cluster munitions used by Ukraine is reportedly as high as 20 percent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Controversy surrounds US decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4085887-ukraine-russia-us-cluster-munitions-controversy/ |work=The Hill |date=7 July 2023}}</ref> Paul Hannon, of the [[Cluster Munition Coalition]] (CMC), said the Biden administration's decision will "contribute to the terrible casualties being suffered by Ukrainian civilians both immediately and for years to come".<ref name="cluster-2023"/>

On 10 July, Cambodian Prime Minister [[Hun Sen]] warned Ukraine of using cluster munitions on Twitter writing: "It would be the greatest danger for Ukrainians for many years or up to a hundred years if cluster bombs are used in Russian-occupied areas in the territory of Ukraine," Sen further cited his country's "painful experience" from the [[Vietnam War]] that has killed or maimed tens of thousands of Cambodians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine should shun US cluster bombs, learn from Cambodia's 'painful experience': PM Hun Sen|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3227129/ukraine-should-shun-us-cluster-bombs-learn-cambodias-painful-experience-pm-hun-sen|work=South China Morning Post |date=10 July 2023}}</ref>

On the same day, the [[Royal United Services Institute]] (RUSI) released a study citing the use of cluster munitions from the Vietnam War. [[United States Army]] studies from that war showed that it takes approximately 13.6 high explosive shells for each enemy soldier killed. A shell firing [[DPICM]]s relied on average only 1.7 shells to kill an enemy soldier. RUSI used an example of a trench, a direct hit by a high explosive round will spread shrapnel "within line of sight of the point of detonation". This also reduces the wear and tear on the barrels of 155&nbsp;mm artillery weapons systems.<ref>{{cite news |title=Giving Ukraine Cluster Munitions is Necessary, Legal and Morally Justified|url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/giving-ukraine-cluster-munitions-necessary-legal-and-morally-justified#:~:text=Cluster%20munitions%20would%20be%20valuable,mass%20emplacement%20of%20unmarked%20minefields. |publisher=Royal United Services Institute| author1= Dr Jack Watling |author2=Professor Justin Bronk  |date=10 July 2023}}</ref>

On 16 July 2023, Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] claimed that Russia had "sufficient stockpiles" of its own cluster munitions and threatened to take "reciprocal action" if Ukraine used US-supplied cluster munitions against Russian forces in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin threatens cluster bomb retaliation if weapons used against Russian forces |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-vladimir-putin-threatens-cluster-bomb-retaliation-if-weapons-used-against-russian-forces-12921775 |work=Sky News |date=16 July 2023}}</ref>

On 20 July 2023, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that Ukrainian forces had begun to use US-supplied cluster munitions against Russian forces in the south-east of the country, according to Ukrainian officials.<ref>{{cite news| last1 = Hudson| first1 = John| last2 = Khurshudyan| first2 = Isabelle| title = Ukraine begins firing U.S.-provided cluster munitions at Russian forces| newspaper = [[Washington Post]]| date = 20 July 2023| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/20/cluster-munitions-ukraine-war-russia/| access-date = 21 July 2023}}</ref>