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Ukraine vows it will not use cluster munitions in Russia
- The US will supply Ukraine with cluster munitions for its counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces on Ukrainian soil
- Cluster munitions, which release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area, are banned by more than 100 nations
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov welcomed a US decision to send cluster bombs to Kyiv, saying it would help to liberate Ukrainian territory but promised the munitions would not be used in Russia.
Reznikov said the munitions would help save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, adding Ukraine would keep a strict record of their use and exchange information with its partners.
Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries. They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades.
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Moscow again criticised the US decision on Saturday, describing it as another “egregious” example of Washington’s “anti-Russian” course.
“Another ‘wonder weapon’, which Washington and Kyiv are counting on without considering its grave consequences, will in no way affect the course of the special military operation, the goals and objectives of which will be fully achieved,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
“We recognise that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance,” Sullivan told reporters. “But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery,” he said.
Reznikov said the military would not use cluster munitions in urban areas and would use them only “to break through the enemy defence lines”.
Russia, Ukraine, and the US have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the production, stockpiling, use, and transfer of the weapons.
Spain, a signatory to the convention, said it opposed the decision.
“Spain, based on the firm commitment it has with Ukraine, also has a firm commitment that certain weapons and bombs cannot be delivered under any circumstances,” Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles told reporters at a Madrid rally on Saturday.
“We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion,” he told reporters on Saturday.
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