Reports: Russia strapped banned bombs to missiles used in Kiyv-attack

Mayor of Kiyv, Vitali Klitschko, said that it’s “Another clear sign of the genocide Russia is committing against Ukrainians.”

What is happening?

In one of the deadliest attacks of the year, the Ukrainian capital, Kiyv, was hit with a barrage of Russian drones and ballistic missiles the night before Tuesday..

The attack lasted nearly nine hours and at least 21 people have been killed, 134 wounded.

One of the most “horrific” attacks

In a statement, Ukrainian President, Volodomy Zelenskyy, said that Russia sent 440 drones and 32 missiles against Kiyv.

He also called it “one of the most horrific attacks” on the capital.

The deadly surprise

During the rescue operation, rescuers found evidence of the Russians also using cluster bombs in the attack.

Reports are that the cluster bombs where attached to the ballistic missiles.

Can cause immense damage

Before hitting the target, cluster bombs release a warhead in the air. The warhead explodes midair, spreading a huge amount of smaller explosives over a large area.

Russia has also been reported using cluster bombs in the Ukrainian city of Sumy.

Causing unfathomable civilian casualties

Bombs don’t discriminate, and using cluster bombs in a populated area like Kiyv puts a huge number of civilians at risk.

The reports of Russia using cluster bombs in the attack leading up to Tuesday, could also explain why the death toll from the attack is so high.

Danger for years to come

One of the big issues with cluster bombs is that many of the small explosives do not detonate when they hit the ground.

This means they remain hidden and can suddenly explodes years later, causing further civilian casualties.

“Another clear sign of the genocide”

In a video posted on Telegram, Mayor of Kiyv, Vitali Klitschko, shows what is suspected to be cluster munition from the attack.

“In the capital’s Nyvky neighborhood, emergency workers are now finding these kinds of cluster munition parts, Another clear sign of the genocide Russia is committing against Ukrainians,” Klitschko said.

Banned in more than 120 countries

Due to the high risk of civilian casualties, cluster bombs are banned in more than 120 countries all over the world.

Russia, Ukraine and the US have not banned them, though.