Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the recent delivery of cluster munitions from the United States to Ukraine in an interview on Sunday.
Putin asserted that Russia possesses an ample supply of cluster munitions and warned that his country reserves the right to retaliate if Ukraine employs these controversial weapons.
“Until now, we have not done this, we have not used it, and we have not had such a need,” Putin said.
The interview, conducted by Rossiya TV reporter Pavel Zarubin, was released ahead of its scheduled broadcast on Sunday night.
The Russian President also made it clear that Russia has refrained from using cluster bombs in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Putin’s warning came a week after the Pentagon announced the arrival of cluster munitions in Ukraine. The U.S. considers these munitions, which release smaller bomblets when deployed, as crucial ammunition to strengthen Ukraine’s offensive capabilities and advance against Russian forces.
After Biden admitted on national television that the U.S. gave cluster bombs to Ukraine “because the U.S. is low on other ammunition,” Biden National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan blames it on President Trump — almost 30 months after Biden took office. pic.twitter.com/nAu3XGxYAg— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 16, 2023
Moreover, on Sunday morning, President Biden’s National Security Advisor explained that the cluster bombs were sent because they had a shortage of other ammunition, attributing it to the previous administration.
The report comes as cluster bombs have faced criticism from humanitarian organizations and certain U.S. allies due to the substantial number of unexploded bomblets they often leave behind.
According to experts, these remnants pose a long-lasting threat to civilians even after the conflict concludes.
Meanwhile, advocates of cluster munitions argue that Russia has already been using them in Ukraine and contend that the weapons provided by the U.S. have been enhanced to minimize the number of unexploded ordnances. Ukraine has pledged to employ these munitions exclusively in areas distanced from densely populated regions.
Despite warnings from the United Kingdom and Spain, President Biden proceeded with the delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine.
In the meantime, the Ukrainian military provided an update, reporting that Russia had launched various attacks in the previous 24 hours. These included the use of Iranian-made Shahed exploding drones, cruise missiles, anti-aircraft guided missiles, airstrikes, and multiple rocket launcher assaults.
Additionally, the Ukrainian General Staff emphasized in a statement that Russia continues to prioritize offensive operations in the industrial east of Ukraine.
According to Donetsk regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, two residents were killed, and one person was injured in the region on Saturday.
The situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile, with both Russia and Ukraine engaged in ongoing hostilities. The delivery of cluster munitions from the United States has further escalated tensions, prompting concerns about the potential humanitarian impact and long-term consequences of these weapons.
