American-made cluster munitions have arrived in Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian general and the Pentagon. Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavsky, commander of the “Tavria” Joint Forces Operation, stated that while the munitions have not been used yet, they have the potential to radically change the battlefield. The presence of the cluster munitions was confirmed by the Pentagon, who emphasized that Ukraine has committed to using them only in appropriate places and not near civilian populations. The delivery of these controversial munitions, banned in over 100 countries, has raised eyebrows, but Ukrainian forces, facing low supplies of standard artillery rounds, are grateful for the support.
Tarnavsky also discussed Ukraine’s ongoing offensives, acknowledging modest gains in the south but noting that the counteroffensive has not been as successful as desired. He attributed this to the powerful preparations made by the Russians, including the use of elaborate minefields that have made movement difficult for Ukrainian troops. As a result, Ukraine has had to economize on artillery usage and focus on hitting command and control nodes. Tarnavsky used a boxing metaphor to describe the current state of the fighting, emphasizing the importance of keeping the opponent at arm’s length.
In a recent battlefield victory, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, a rising star in the Russian military, was killed in the Russian-occupied city of Berdyansk. Tsokov’s death was reportedly caused by a strike from a long-range British cruise missile. Tarnavsky highlighted the destabilizing nature of such victories, as the loss of a commander can create uncertainty among personnel. He also mentioned the disappearance of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who staged a short-lived rebellion last month, noting the confusion and chaos that has ensued on the Russian side. Tarnavsky believes that such events positively affect Ukrainian actions and success.
What impact do American-made cluster munitions have on the battlefield in Ukraine according to Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavsky and the Pentagon?
American-made cluster munitions have recently arrived in Ukraine, according to Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavsky, commander of the “Tavria” Joint Forces Operation, and the Pentagon. Tarnavsky mentioned that although the munitions have not been used yet, they have the potential to significantly impact the battlefield. The Pentagon confirmed the presence of these controversial munitions, which are banned in over 100 countries, and emphasized that Ukraine has committed to using them in appropriate areas away from civilian populations. While the delivery of these munitions has raised concerns, Ukrainian forces, facing limited supplies of standard artillery rounds, are grateful for the support.
Tarnavsky also discussed Ukraine’s ongoing offensives, acknowledging modest gains in the south but admitting that the counteroffensive has not been as successful as desired. He attributed this to the Russians’ strong preparations, including the use of intricate minefields that have hindered the movement of Ukrainian troops. As a result, Ukraine has had to be economical with their artillery usage and focus on targeting command and control points. Tarnavsky compared the current state of the fighting to boxing, underscoring the importance of maintaining distance from the opponent.
In a recent victory on the battlefield, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, a rising star in the Russian military, was killed in the Russian-occupied city of Berdyansk. Tsokov’s death reportedly occurred due to a strike from a long-range British cruise missile. Tarnavsky highlighted the destabilizing effect of such victories, as the loss of a commander can create uncertainty among troops. He also mentioned the disappearance of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who staged a short-lived rebellion last month, noting the resulting confusion and chaos on the Russian side. Tarnavsky believes that these events positively influence Ukrainian actions and contribute to their overall success.
The introduction of American-made cluster munitions in Ukraine marks a disturbing development in the ongoing conflict, potentially altering the dynamics on the battlefield for the worse. The use of such weapons not only raises serious concerns regarding civilian casualties, but also highlights the urgent need for stricter international regulations on the use of these deadly tools.