Russia Suspected of Pleshetan Attack in Bucha... Thousands of Nails Seem to Be Embedded

The small suburban city of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, which had been occupied by Russian forces for over a month [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 18th (local time) that there is evidence that Russia used flechette shells in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv (Kiyev).

Flechettes made of metal are 3cm long and shaped like nails or darts. Bombs filled with flechettes explode above infantry during operations, dispersing them over an area as large as three soccer fields.

The flechettes found in the Bucha area are believed to have been fired from Russian 122mm 3Sh1 shells.

The use of flechette shells has been criticized by international human rights organizations due to concerns over civilian casualties.

According to the report, a resident of Bucha said, "Last month, a Russian shell filled with flechettes exploded overhead, scattering thousands of them across the area," adding, "Some fell on tarps covering vehicles and were embedded like nails."

However, WP cited experts stating that flechette shells are rarely used in modern warfare. Flechette shells, which were dropped from airplanes during World War I, were more recently used by the United States during the Vietnam War. Although concerns were raised by international organizations in the 1970s, this did not lead to a ban treaty on their use.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.