Putin Reacts As Ukraine Begin Receiving Of Cluster Munitions From US

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a published interview on Sunday that Russia possesses an ample supply of cluster munitions to retaliate if Ukraine were to use such weapons.

Putin’s remarks come after Ukraine received cluster weapons from the United States, a move that raised concerns due to the long-term risks these weapons pose to civilians when unexploded bomblets remain on the ground.

Putin emphasized that Russia has various types of cluster munitions in its stockpile and reserved the right to take corresponding actions if these weapons were employed against Russia.

He noted that Russia had not yet used these weapons, despite experiencing a shortage of munitions at one point.

Both Human Rights Watch and Ukrainian forces have accused Russia of using cluster munitions in the ongoing conflict.

Cluster munitions are banned by several countries, particularly in Europe, under the 2008 Oslo Convention.

However, Russia, the United States, and Ukraine are not parties to this agreement.

The decision by the United States to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine has been strongly criticized by humanitarian groups.

US President Joe Biden stated that the decision was challenging but necessary to support Ukraine’s depleted ammunition stocks.