Cluster bombs 'should be consigned to history,' not be used in war: UN
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The US latest military logistics package to Ukraine, which was unveiled earlier this month, includes cluster munition.
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Ukrainian soldiers fire artillery at the front line near Bakhmut in Donetsk region on Saturday, May 27, 2023 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday that the UN is aware of reports that Ukraine began to fire US-supplied cluster bombs and said their use should not be permitted in combat.
"We have seen these reports, which are very concerning, and as we have said before these types of munitions should be consigned to history and should not be used," Dujarric told a briefing.
The munitions were specifically designed to cause indiscriminate loss of human life and hideous injuries over a wide area -- including in this case the loss of Ukrainian lives.
The US latest military logistics package to Ukraine, which was unveiled earlier this month, includes cluster munition.
On July 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia had the right to retaliate with the use of similar weapons if this type of weaponry was used against its forces.
In a briefing on Thursday, National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said that Ukraine began using cluster bombs supplied by the US in its targeting of Russian forces "in the last week or so."
"They're using them appropriately, they're using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russia’s defensive formations and Russia’s defensive maneuvering," Kirby claimed.
Under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the weapon is banned in 123 countries. Among those who did not sign the convention were the US, Ukraine, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, "Israel" and South Korea.
Read more: West ‘lucky’ that Ukrainians are dying on its behalf: Zelensky aide
