Russia admitted on Tuesday that it may reconsider its decision not to use cluster munitions given the supply of this type of weapon to Ukraine by the United States.
“The consequences of using this type of weapon on the civilian population are well known,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a conference on international security in Moscow. quoted by the Russian agency TASS.
Cluster bombs, which scatter up to hundreds of smaller ordnance over a city block, have been banned in more than 100 countries since 2008, when the Convention on Weapons and Clusters was signed.
Many of the sub-munitions do not detonate immediately and can later be accidentally fired by civilians.
The United States recently announced the delivery of this type of bombs to the Ukrainian army for defensive purposes only, drawing criticism from Russia.
Ukraine has promised to use them for mine clearance and only against Russian positions, never in civilian areas.
“I would like to draw attention to the fact that we also have cluster munitions. So far we have refrained from using them for humanitarian reasons. However, this decision can be reconsidered,” Shoigu said at the Moscow conference.
Shoigu said the United States had previously stated that “the use of cluster munitions was a war crime”.
“Today Washington and its accomplices are committing this crime in Ukraine. There are no convictions from humanitarian organizations, as could be expected,” the Russian minister added.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of using cluster bombs, but information released by the two sides about the war cannot immediately be independently confirmed.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, but Ukrainian forces launched a second counter-offensive in June after receiving new weapons from Western allies.
Kiev authorities have acknowledged that the counter-offensive has been slow and with modest results.
In addition to arms support, Kiev’s allies have issued sanctions against Russian interests to try to reduce Moscow’s ability to fund Ukraine’s war effort.
The number of victims of the conflict is unknown, but various sources, including the UN, speak of a high number.
Source: DN
