 Ukraine starts using U.S. supplied cluster munitions on the battlefield. Ukrainian servicemen have started using cluster munitions supplied by the U.S. on the battlefield, the Washington Post reported, citing Ukrainian officials. According to them, the Ukrainian armed forces have started using cluster munitions on the southeastern part of the front in an attempt to break through well fortified Russian positions that have slowed down the Ukrainian counter-offensive. The Ukrainian forces are also expected to use this type of munition in the direction of Bakhmut. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed that U.S. supplied cluster munitions have already been deployed on the battlefield by Ukraine. An initial assessment from Ukraine has indicated the munitions are being used quite effectively by the Ukrainians against Russia's troops, the official said. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu pointed out that if U.S. cluster munitions were delivered to Ukraine, Russian forces would be forced to use similar means of destruction against the Ukrainian army. He added that Russia had refrained from using cluster munitions during the special military operation because it was aware of the threat it poses to civilians. According to Shoigu, the supply of these weapons by the Americans will lead to the protraction of the conflict. Cluster bombs can contain hundreds of smaller bomblets. When a cluster is detonated in the air, they are scattered over an area of tens of square meters. Some do not explode immediately and remain on the ground, posing a threat to civilians long after the conflict has ended.