Unexploded ordnances of cluster bombs, left by Russian attacks, pose risk to life of civilian population in the conflict zone, the Human Rights Watch warned on August 21.

It said that its researchers saw more unexploded submunitions from cluster bombs in and around the villages of Shindisi, in the Gori district of Georgia, as well as near the village of Pkhvenisi.

“Many people have died because of Russia’s use of cluster munitions in Georgia, even as Moscow denied it had used this barbaric weapon,” Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch, said. “Many more people could be killed or wounded unless Russia allows professional de-mining organizations to enter at once to clean the affected areas.” 

Residents from Shindisi and the nearby Pkhvenisi village told Human Rights Watch researchers there are hundreds of unexploded submunitions in the area. Submunition “duds” are highly dangerous and can explode if picked up or otherwise disturbed.