So, as you see I have some bias against (and some for) the decision to provide UAF with our cluster munitions…but like all other contributions it's a tough call with a lot of factors for any western country, but especially the US. 14/14
Full-scale invasion and national resilience, broadcasted live.
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DP-ICM designed for Soviet artillery; Ukraine’s precision weapons succeed except troop targets.
Finally, DP-ICM was designed in the 80's to strike Soviet groups of artillery, before the advent of US precision artillery weapons. Ukraine's use of precision arty & missiles from the west have brought success…with the exception of striking troop targets. 13/
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Russia’s cluster munitions in cities called war crimes, losing moral high ground
Also, at the beginning of the 2022 invasion, RU used cluster munitions in large cities that were called "war crimes." Nation cede the moral high ground when they use them as they are indiscriminate & will harm civilians. That plays a role, too. 12/
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Debate on US cluster munitions and political issues
The "debate" on the US providing cluster munitions features several political issues. The US, Ukraine & Russia are not signatories to the ban, but most NATO allies are (Turkey is not; they've provided them to UAF). That affects the decision.11/ https://
icrc.org/en/war-and-law
/weapons/cluster-munitions
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Cluster munitions threaten civilians in Donbas
There's also long-term threat to civilians. Russia has been using cluster munitions in the Donbas since 2014. So has Ukraine. 1000s of Ukrainian civilians & 100s of children have been harmed from unexploded munitions in the Donbas since 2014. 10/
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Artillery attack with bomblets heard as ‘pops’
It was rainy & dark. We both heard 5 "pops" overhead. 5 DP-ICM artillery rounds had opened over us, but we didn't know what it was. Each round had between 72-88 "bomblets." In seconds, it was like we were inside a popcorn popper, with small bomblets landing around us. 5/
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Death of Russian unit commander announced
The death of Sergey Chepik Maryanych was announced on Russian social media on 21 June. He is said to have been the commander of the 6th motorised rifle company of the 2nd battalion of the 1486th Leningrad regiment.
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Officer tells soldier of death in Ukraine
In the recording, the discussion goes as follows. An officer (O) named Sergey is apparently informing a soldier (S) about the death of a popular man in their unit during the Ukrainian counter-offensive. The soldier is very angry about how the men have been treated.
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Angry Russian conscripts confront officer
Angry mobilised Russians have recorded themselves in a verbal confrontation with an officer. It's a rare insight into the relationship between the soldiers facing Ukraine's counter-offensive and their frequently absent commanders, whom they say have abandoned them to die.
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Ukrainian FPV drone destroys Russian explosive-laden tank disabled by mine or stall
Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drone destroying a Russian tank filled with explosives
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) 30 juin 2023
Russians sent this tank towards Ukrainian positions, but it either stalled or was disabled by a mine
📹https://t.co/y3EQuzwjX8 pic.twitter.com/oWhsN9Qn0tUkrainian FPV kamikaze drone destroying a Russian tank filled with explosives Russians sent this tank towards Ukrainian positions, but it either stalled or was disabled by a mine https://
t.me/Tsaplienko/349
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