Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has accused the United States of hypocrisy in reference to its supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are widely prohibited.

In a tweet, Musk criticized the US for resorting to providing cluster bombs out of desperation, considering it a degradation of the country's reputation without significantly impacting the course of the war.

"We have run out of normal ammunition to send Ukraine, so now send them cluster bombs in desperation, debasing ourselves with no change to the outcome."

I want the best outcome for the people.

Russia has at least 4 times the artillery of Ukraine and 10 times the ammunition.

We have run out of normal ammunition to send Ukraine, so now send them cluster bombs in desperation, debasing ourselves with no change to the outcome.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 15, 2023

He commended the bipartisan efforts of House Republicans and Democrats who tried to prevent the transfer of cluster munitions.

It is worth noting that the US decision to deliver these munitions to Ukraine has drawn criticism from allies like the UK, Canada, and Germany, who have voiced concerns and declined to provide such weaponry.

America has always condemned as evil those who use cluster bombs, but now we send them to be used?

No good will come of this. Fate loves irony, but hates hypocrisy.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 15, 2023

Russian officials, including Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, condemned the move.

Zakharova cautioned that the US would be held responsible for the consequences, including the potential loss of innocent lives.

Shoigu warned that if the US supplies cluster munitions to Ukraine, Russia would feel compelled to retaliate with equivalent weapons against Ukrainian forces.

Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia has not yet used cluster munitions, adding that if such weaponry is used against Russian forces; Moscow reserves the right to respond in kind.

"Until now, we have not done this, we have not used it, and we did not have such a need, despite the known shortage of ammunition by us as well in a certain period of time, but we did not do this. But, of course, if they are used against us, we reserve the right to mirror actions," Putin said in an interview for Rossiya-1 broadcaster.

Putin made these comments in response to the recent unveiling of a new US military assistance package for Ukraine, which includes cluster munitions.

He also mentioned that Russia possesses an adequate supply of various types of cluster munitions.

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"They [the US] do this not from a good life, but because they have a shortage of ammunition in general," Putin said.

Furthermore, Putin mentioned that while Russia possesses an abundance of contemporary military vehicles, they are open to the possibility of studying equipment provided by Western countries if such an opportunity arises. This willingness to explore and learn from West-supplied equipment is considered beneficial by Putin.

"There is a term, 'reverse engineering.' Well, let's see, modern equipment is modern equipment. We have it, and it is very effective, well, for instance, the T-90 Proryv tank. The best tank in the world. Without any exaggeration," he said, adding that "if there is an opportunity to look inside [trophy equipment] and see if there is something that can be applied to us, well, why not," he stated.

The Russian leader also criticized the use of cluster munitions, stating that it should be considered a crime, referring to previous assessments made by the US administration itself.

"It would be." - “If that were true, it would potentially be a war crime," then-White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, said in a briefing when asked about allegations of Russia's use of cluster bombs just five days into the war in February 2022.

Read next: How Elon Musk became a key geopolitical figure - Axios

A flashback 

The United States recently announced new military aid, including cluster munitions, to "assist Ukraine", causing wide criticism from NGOs and embarrassment for some European nations.

The move by the Biden administration has been widely criticized by human rights activists and some US lawmakers, with Congressman Matt Gaetz planning to co-sponsor an amendment to ban the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine or any other country.

Russia already warned the US against sending the cluster munitions to Ukraine, and Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia argued it would count as a bigger step toward escalating the conflict.

The #UnitedStates has confirmed its compliance with a #Ukrainian request to provide the country with cluster munitions, a decision slapped by a backlash and criticism from human rights organizations due to the weapon being prohibited by over 100 countries. pic.twitter.com/MXl4tX2xJZ

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 10, 2023

Late last month, the US military said despite it being banned by most countries, supplying Ukraine with cluster bombs could be useful against Russia.

Cluster bombs, bomblets, and launching mechanism

The cluster bombs in question are 155mm projectiles with a range of almost 30km when fired that hold up to hundreds of explosive submunitions, also known as bomblets or submunition, which are released over a wide targeted area and detonate on ground impact.

The bombs can be deployed by, warships, or aircraft or fired by ground-based launching platforms, including artillery systems, such as Howitzers, while bomblets are designed to indiscriminately take out multiple targets, including military vehicles and individuals.

The rate of bomblets that fail to explode on contact, also known as a dud rate, continues to be a threat to civilians for long years similar to landmines.

Read more: A Grim Reaper that will outlast the Ukraine war: Cluster munitions