Reznikov explains how AFU will use cluster munitions

The head of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, Oleksiy Reznikov, has described how the Ukrainian Armed Forces will use the cluster munitions transferred by the USA to Ukraine. He published the main principles of using the weapons on his Twitter account.

He noted that the AFU will adhere to strict rules and restrictions in the use of the ammunition, as well as keep strict records of it.

Among them:

• Ukraine will only use the ammunition for the de-occupation of internationally recognised territories of Ukraine. The munitions will not be "flown in" on Russian territory;
• The munitions will not be used in urban areas to avoid risks to civilians. At the same time, the AFU will hit Russian military concentrations with them. The shells will be used to break through enemy defence lines with minimal risk to our soldiers;
• Ukraine will keep strict records of the use of these weapons and the local areas where they will be used;
• Areas where cluster munitions have been used will be prioritized for demining after Ukraine's de-occupation and victory.
• Ukraine will report to its partners on the use of these munitions and their effectiveness. This will help to ensure an appropriate standard of transparent reporting and control.

Reznikov noted that Ukraine intends to adhere to all international norms and rules written into humanitarian conventions, while at the same time, as he stressed, Ukraine has the right to defend its territories and will continue to liberate them from Russian invaders.

The minister also pointed out that Russia had been using cluster munitions since the start of its invasion of Ukraine.

We would like to point out that the USA will send Ukraine advanced dual-purpose DPICM cluster munitions with an unexploded ordnance rate of less than 2.35 per cent. In contrast, the percentage of detonated Russian munitions ranges from 30% to 40%.