The United States is considering providing Ukraine with cluster munitions and may announce this decision in early July.
As NBC News reports, citing senior US officials, the US was considering providing Ukraine with dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs) but declined to give any timeframe for an announcement.
DPICMs are surface-to-surface munitions that explode and disperse multiple small submunitions or bombs over large areas, causing greater damage than single projectiles.
These may include shaped charges for piercing armoured vehicles, or they can shatter into pieces, making them deadlier and more dangerous for personnel.
Some human rights groups are against their use due to concerns that unexploded bombs could explode after combat, potentially injuring or killing innocent civilians.
Ukraine has been asking the US for DPICMs since last year, but the idea has been opposed because of an international treaty that prohibits the transfer, use and stockpiling of these weapons.
The United States, Ukraine and Russia are not signatories to this treaty, but more than 100 countries have signed up to it, including many US allies.
The United States developed cluster munitions during the Cold War and subsequently stockpiled large quantities of such ordnance, many of which are now approaching the end of their shelf life.
DPICM ammunition can be fired from artillery systems that the US has previously provided to Ukraine.
This week, a bipartisan group of members of Congress sent a letter asking the Biden administration to supply Ukraine from its “untapped, vast arsenal”.
Media reports suggest that the United States has also come close to making a decision to provide Ukraine with ATACMS long-range tactical missile systems.
