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Why are cluster munitions so dangerous?

Despite efforts to ban them, the weapons are being used in Ukraine

SLOVIANSK, UKRAINE - JULY 03: Fire burns at a shopping mall after it was struck by a missile on July 03, 2022 in Sloviansk, Ukraine. The attack was one of many in the city early Sunday afternoon, which targeted residential neighborhoods, destroyed homes and left at least 6 people dead and 15 injured. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Jul 7th 2022|3 min read

ON JUNE 30TH the mayor of Slovyansk, a city in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk province, said that four people in a residential area had been killed by Russian cluster munitions. Both sides in the war have reportedly used the weapons, though Russia has been accused more often. Despite efforts to ban the bombs, other armies also employ them. What are cluster munitions, and why are they so dangerous?

This article appeared in the New Articles section of the print edition under the headline “Why are cluster munitions so dangerous?”