Russia and George Use Cluster Bombs in Georgia

Georgians look at the remnants of an RBK-250 cluster bomb dropped by Russian aircraft on the village of Ruisi, near South Ossetia, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008.

Human Rights Watch researchers on the ground in Georgia, uncovered evidence that Russian aircraft dropped cluster bombs in at least two strikes on populated areas of Georgia on 12 August, killing at least 11 civilians and injuring dozens.

This marks the first use of cluster bombs in two years. Almost exactly two year ago Israel fired millions of cluster submunitions on South Lebanon.

Among the evidence HRW cited, was witnessing the removal of a submunition fragment from one victim’s head, interviews with several hospitalized victims of an attack in Gori; and photographic evidence showing a civilian in Ruisi holding a cluster submunition without realizing it could explode.

USCBL sent a letter to the Russian Ambassador to the United States, calling on the Russian government to stop using cluster munitions and to provide all necessary assistance to clear unexploded submunitions before more civilians fall victim to these weapons.

US Campaign activists deliver letter to Georgian Embassy

Following this revelation, the Georgian Defense Ministry informed Human Rights Watch that it, too, used cluster munitions—in this case, the GRADLAR 160 multiple launch rocket system equipped with MK4 rockets with M85 submunitions—against Russian military targets. The US Campaign delivered a letter to the Georgian Ambassador, calling on Georgia to also renounce the use of cluster munitions and to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions when it opens for signature on December 3.

USCBL activists are encouraged to send their own letters to both embassies.