MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia possesses an ample supply of cluster munitions to respond if Ukraine used such weapons, Putin said this in an interview published on Sunday.
Putin’s comments come as Ukraine has started receiving cluster weapons from the United States, a move that has raised concerns due to the long-term risks posed to civilians by unexploded bomblets.
In the interview with a state television journalist, Putin emphasized Russia’s readiness to counter any use of cluster munitions by Ukraine. He stated, “Russia has a sufficient stockpile of various kinds of cluster munitions.” Cluster munitions are controversial weapons that can scatter hundreds of small explosive charges, some of which may fail to detonate and pose a danger to civilians even after the conflict ends.
“If they are used against us, we reserve ourselves the right to tit-for-tat actions,” Putin warned. He also mentioned that Russia had not yet deployed these weapons, despite a previous shortage of munitions at a certain point.
Russia Accused of Using Cluster Munitions in Ukraine
Both Human Rights Watch and Ukrainian forces have accused Russia of already using cluster munitions during the ongoing conflict. It is important to note that cluster munitions are prohibited by many countries, particularly in Europe, under the 2008 Oslo Convention. However, neither Russia, the United States, nor Ukraine are signatories to this treaty.
The decision by the United States to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine has been strongly condemned by humanitarian groups. US President Joe Biden defended the decision, stating that it was a difficult choice, but emphasized that Ukraine needed additional ammunition to replenish its depleted stocks.
The potential use of cluster munitions in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine raises concerns about the safety of civilians and the humanitarian impact of such weapons. The situation calls for heightened attention and international efforts to ensure the protection of civilians and the prevention of further escalation in the region.
