Cluster Munitions Use in Ukraine 2022
Cluster munitions have been widely used in Ukraine following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of the country. Use of the of the banned weapon by Russian forces in civilan populated areas has been documented by ICBL-CMC member, Human Rights Watch, the New York Tiimes, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Allegations of cluster munition use by Ukraine Government forces were reported by the New York Times on 18 April.
See all ICBL-CMC statements on use of cluster munitions in Ukraine
- ICBL-CMC Condemns Russia Cluster Bomb Use and Civilian Harm in Ukraine Conflict
- ICBL-CMC Outrage at Russia Targeting of Civilians and Ongoing Cluster Bomb Use
Read the latest report from member Human Rights Watch, “Intense and Lasting Harm: Cluster Munition Attacks in Ukraine”.
Additonnally, use of banned cluster munitions in Ukraine and their devastating impact, has been condemned by at least a dozen states including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland, Guatemala, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Extracts follow.
AUSTRIA
“We strongly condemn the use of cluster munitions which is incompatible with International Humanitarian Law and outlawed under the Convention on Cluster Munitions.”
- UNGA statement by Ambassador Alexander Marschik, New York, 28 February.
BELGIUM
“Last week, several reports reported attacks against citizens and the use of cluster munitions. The Belgian government recalls that even wars have their laws. In times of armed conflict too, all parties are bound to respect international humanitarian law.”
- Statement by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès and Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne, 3 March.
Original -
“La semaine dernière, plusieurs informations ont fait état d'attaques contre des citoyens et de l'utilisation d'armes à sous-munitions. Le gouvernement belge rappelle que même les guerres ont leurs lois. En période de conflits armés aussi, toutes les parties sont tenues au respect du droit humanitaire international.” Communiqué de le Premier ministre Alexander De Croo, la ministre des Affaires étrangères Sophie Wilmès et le ministre de la Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne, 2 March.
CANADA
“There are credible reports that Russia is using prohibited weapons, including cluster bombs. … This is not news that comes last week, it comes in this morning. We know what is happening in real time and it is completely abhorrent.”
- UNGA statement by Ambassador Bob Rae, 28 February.
COSTA RICA
The Russian Federation has also violated other agreements, including by using cluster munitions, targeting civilians and launching cyberattacks in its aggression against Ukraine.
- UNGA statement by Ambassador Rodrigo A. Carazo, 28 February.
IRELAND
“Ireland has also been active at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, where I spoke this morning [and] … expressed our abhorrence at the use of prohibited cluster munitions in the conflict.”
- Statement by Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, 2 March.
“Ireland condemned the use of prohibited cluster munitions in the conflict.”
- Conference on Disarmament statement by Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, 2 March.
GUATEMALA
“Guatemala is concerned with launch of missiles against civilians in violation of IHL. Cluster munitions are being used, which have been internationally banned because of their indiscriminate effects. These attacks are disproportionate and violate laws of war.”
- UNGA statement by Ambassador Luis Antonio Lam Padilla, New York, 28 February.
NETHERLANDS
- Conference on Disarmament statement, Geneva, 3 March.
NEW ZEALAND
“New Zealand condemns the use of cluster munitions by Russia in Ukraine. As a strong supporter of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, we condemn any use of these inhumane weapons and urge all parties to the conflict not to use them.”
- Tweet by Disarmament Minister Phil Twyford, 3 March.
“I am deeply concerned at reports of cluster munitions use by Russia in the current conflict. As a strong supporter of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, New Zealand condemns any use of these inhumane weapons and urges all parties to the conflict not to use them.”
- Conference on Disarmament statement by Disarmament Minister Phil Twyford, 3 March.
NORWAY
- Conference on Disarmament statement, Geneva, 3 March.
SWEDEN
- Conference on Disarmament statement, Geneva, 3 March.
SWITZERLAND
- UNGA statement, 28 February.
UNITED KINGDOM
“The United Kingdom, as the President of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), is gravely concerned by reports of the use of cluster munitions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Convention on Cluster Munitions was born out of a collective determination to address the humanitarian consequences of these weapons, which have had a devastating impact on civilians in many conflict areas. The United Kingdom calls upon all those that continue to use such weapons to cease immediately, and calls upon all states that have not yet done so to join the Convention without delay. States Parties to the CCM underscore our obligation never under any circumstances to use cluster munitions, and in accordance with the object and provisions of the Convention, we condemn any use of cluster munitions by any actor, remaining steadfast in our determination to achieve a world entirely free of any use of these weapons.”
- Statement from Convention on Cluster Munitions President Ambassador Aidan Liddle, Geneva, 2 March.
-“As President of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the United Kingdom is in particular gravely concerned about reports of the use of cluster munitions.”
- Conference on Disarmament statement by Ambassador Aidan Liddle, Geneva, 3 March.
“[T]he United Kingdom’s commitment to the humanitarian goals of disarmament remains unwavering. As Presidency of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, we are concerned about reports of the use of cluster munitions in the current conflict taking place in Ukraine. Under our Presidency, we are intensifying work to achieve universal ratification of this important and vital Treaty.”
- Conference on Disarmament statement by Minister for South and Central Asia, North Africa, United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, 28 February.
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER
The United Nations has received credible allegations that Russian forces have used cluster munitions in populated areas of Ukraine “at least 24 times”.
- Human Rights Council statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, 29 March.
“Most civilian casualties were caused by the use of heavy artillery, multi-launch rocket systems and air strikes in populated areas, with concerning reports of use of cluster munitions striking civilian targets. Massive damage to residential buildings has been inflicted. The use of weapons with wide area effects in populated urban areas risks being inherently indiscriminate, and I call for the immediate cessation of such force.”
- Human Rights Council statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, 3 March.
Additional statements
UNITED STATES
“We've seen videos of Russian forces moving exceptionally lethal weaponry into Ukraine which has no place on the battlefield. That includes cluster munitions and vacuum bombs – which are banned under the Geneva Conventions.”
- UNGA statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, 2 March.
Amended UNGA statement on the US Mission website:
“We have seen videos of Russian forces moving exceptionally lethal weaponry into Ukraine which has no place on the battlefield. That includes cluster munitions and vacuum bombs – which are banned* under the Geneva Convention. … *the use of which directed against civilians is banned under the Geneva Conventions.”
“We are deeply alarmed by daily reports of civilian casualties and of Russia’s deployment of weapons such as cluster munitions and thermobarics against cities where innocent people are sheltering.”
- Human Rights Council statement by US Amb. Sheba Crocker, Geneva, 3 March.
[No comment on cluster munitions]
- Conference on Disarmament statement by US representative, Geneva, 3 March.
RUSSIA’S RESPONSE
[Deny]
- Conference on Disarmament statement by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Geneva, 1 March.
[Deflect] “How was the United States and the European Union’s supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine contributing to protecting human rights and saving lives? In 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s military had used inhumane weapons and carried out indiscriminate cluster bomb strikes against Yugoslavian citizens, killing some 2,000 civilians, including children.”
- Human Rights Council statement by Ambassador Gennady Gatilov, Geneva, 3 March.
ICBL-CMC Calls
- All parties to the conflict in Ukraine should renounce the use of cluster munitions, an internationally banned weapon
- Both Ukraine and Russia should accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions
- Cluster munition stockpiles should be declared and destroyed
- Cluster munition remnants must be cleared and destroyed as soon as it is safe to do so and international support given to enable clearance efforts
- Through risk education, clear warnings must be given to communities about the terrible danger unexploded bomblets pose
- The victims of cluster munitions and other explosive weapons must be supported
- Governments worldwide should continue to condemn use of cluster munitions in Ukraine and call for all states to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions
