U.S. expected to announce cluster munitions in new package for Ukraine
CBSN
The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday it's providing Ukraine with controversial cluster munitions in a weapons package, U.S. officials told CBS News.
The decision to provide cluster munitions comes as Ukraine faces an ammunition shortfall in its slower-than-expected counteroffensive against dug-in Russian forces. The cluster munitions, which detonate dozens of submunitions called bomblets, could address ammunition concerns. The package is worth $800 million dollars, CBS News confirmed.
Ukraine has been asking for the weapons for months, but the U.S. has been reluctant to give them the munitions because of concerns about international unity. More than 100 countries ban cluster munitions because of potential harm unexploded bomblets can cause civilians during and after conflict.