New footage has emerged showing Ukrainian forces using thermal vision drones to guide a cluster munitions strike on Russian armored vehicles in eastern Ukraine. The clip, shared on social media by a former Ukrainian fighter who fundraises for Kyiv’s drone fleets, shows the country’s 92nd Separate Assault Brigade targeting the Russian forces. The video appears to depict a Ukrainian thermal vision drone scouting out Russian armored vehicles before Ukrainian troops launch an artillery strike, with submunitions from cluster bombs seen hitting at least two armored vehicles in the field.
The scene in the video was reportedly filmed near the village of Andriivka, south of the ruined city of Bakhmut, which has been under Russian control since May 2023. Russian forces have been advancing westward towards the settlement of Chasiv Yar following their takeover of Bakhmut. While the video cannot be independently verified, Ukraine frequently releases footage of its drones conducting strikes on Russian forces, showcasing the use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to guide artillery systems, including those firing cluster munitions. The video highlights the effectiveness of thermal vision drones in providing accurate targeting for artillery strikes.
In December 2023, Ukraine’s drone tsar, Mykhailo Fedorov, emphasized the efficiency of first-person-view explosive drones, sometimes even surpassing artillery in effectiveness. Both sides of the conflict have utilized cluster munitions, which are controversial due to their potential harm to civilians and their long-lasting detonation risks. The U.S. agreed to supply Ukraine with dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM) in July 2023, despite cluster munitions being banned in over 120 countries. The U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are not signatories to a treaty prohibiting the production, use, or stockpiling of cluster munitions.
In mid-October 2023, Ukraine revealed that it had received cluster variants of the U.S.’s ATACMS and used them in strikes on Russian military bases in Moscow-controlled Ukrainian territory. Operations targeted a Russian facility in Berdiansk and in the Russian-annexed Luhansk City, allegedly destroying nine Russian helicopters and other equipment. Subsequent open-source intelligence reports suggested that Ukraine may have damaged up to 21 Russian helicopters in the strikes. The use of cluster munitions in the conflict has raised concerns due to their indiscriminate nature and potential impact on civilian populations.
As the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues, advancements in drone technology and the use of cluster munitions play a significant role in military operations on both sides. The footage depicting Ukrainian forces using thermal vision drones to guide cluster munitions strikes on Russian armored vehicles highlights the evolving tactics and strategies employed in the ongoing conflict. The controversy surrounding the use of cluster munitions underscores the complexities and challenges faced in armed conflicts, where the balance between military effectiveness and civilian protection remains a critical issue. Despite international bans on cluster munitions, their use persists in various conflicts, raising questions about adherence to humanitarian principles and international norms in warfare.
