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Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the use of cluster munitions has led to more than 1,200 documented civilian casualties. These weapons, which disperse multiple submunitions over wide areas, have been deployed by both Russian and Ukrainian forces, often in densely populated zones. The true toll is likely higher, as many attacks remain unreported or unverified.
Cluster munitions are banned under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, ratified by 112 countries. However, neither Russia nor Ukraine is a signatory. The United States, also not party to the treaty, has transferred cluster munitions to Ukraine in at least seven separate shipments between mid-2023 and late 2024. These transfers have sparked renewed debate over humanitarian disarmament norms, especially as Lithuania became the first country to withdraw from the convention in March 2025.
The long-term danger of cluster munitions lies in their failure rate. Unexploded bomblets remain active for years, posing risks to civilians—particularly children, who often mistake them for toys. Survivors of cluster munition blasts frequently suffer severe burns, amputations, and lifelong medical complications.
Human rights monitors have expressed concern over the erosion of international norms. Ukraine’s recent withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention on landmines adds to fears of a broader unraveling of humanitarian treaties. Analysts warn that such moves could trigger a domino effect, weakening global efforts to regulate weapons that disproportionately harm civilians.
This issue is not confined to Ukraine. Similar patterns of cluster munition use have been reported in Myanmar, Syria, and potentially in Gaza and southern Lebanon. The international community faces mounting pressure to reinforce disarmament frameworks and hold violators accountable.