Russian assault team disintegrates before Ukrainian cluster munitions

Video, likely taken by Russian soldiers, shows a Ukrainian cluster bomb attack that broke up an assault by Russian soldiers riding tanks (Video: Telegram/@Russianocontext).

The seven-minute video of the failed attack was first posted on the Telegram channel “Russia No Context.” The caption says the video was filmed in a snow-covered forest in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine.

The video shows the cameraman and his comrades riding in three tanks moving through pine forests along a dirt road. The attack was likely at sunrise or near dusk.

As the Russian troops advanced, a Ukrainian cluster munition exploded near the lead tank. Forbes writer David Axe said it was likely a US-made dual-purpose improved conventional munition, also known as DPICM.

A 155mm DPICM shell will spread 88 grenade-sized submunitions within a 90m radius. A 1983 US Army study concluded that DPICMs were four times more effective than single-warhead artillery shells when fired at an enemy combat vehicle platoon.

Artillery and rocket shells, including cluster munitions, in Toretsk, Ukraine in December 2022 (Photo: Getty).

The effect is evident in the video above, according to Forbes . The submunitions pierced the trees and forced the soldier filming and his comrades to jump off the tank roof. Many were injured and the group had to take shelter in the snow-covered bushes.

"Things didn't go according to plan," said one soldier.

“We are being divided,” another moaned.

In the final minutes of the video, the soldiers retreat amid gunfire. The soldier recording the video appears frustrated because he doesn't know who is firing and where they are aiming.

Although cluster bombs are banned in most countries, both Russia and Ukraine have used the controversial weapon in fighting since February 2022.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/doi-xung-kich-cua-nga-tan-ra-truoc-dan-chum-ukraine-20240112125055785.htm