Moscow condemns cluster munition as 'terrorist method' of warfare
5 Min Read
Russia condemns the United States for deciding to supply Ukraine with cluster munition, a weapon prohibited by international law, in the midst of its counter-offensive.
-
A Colombian Army bomb disposal expert opens the container of a Chilean-made CB-250K cluster bomb to extract the bomblets for destruction May 7, 2009, at the Marandua military base, Vichada department, Colombia (AFP)
The United States deciding on the provision of cluster munition to Ukraine is a dangerous step that will prompt Russia to take appropriate measures in response, Viktor Bondarev, the chair of the Federation Council's Committee on Defense and Security, said Friday.
Bondarev's assertions come after the United States unveiled a new military aid package that includes cluster munition for Ukraine, though the weapon is prohibited by international law.
"Cluster munitions are prohibited by international law (2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions). Russia, like the US, has not ratified this convention. The US is running out of conventional ammo. Civilians are suffering from the use of cluster munitions," Bondarev underlined, reiterating a lot of what was being said about the West running out of munitions and military equipment in light of the provision of behemoth amounts of weapons to Ukraine.
Russia will respond to the actions taken by the US, including by destroying warehouses with cluster munitions.
"The protection of the citizens of the Russian Federation is a priority for the state authorities of Russia, and in the event of the use of cluster munitions by Ukraine, the Federation Council may discuss this topic," Bondarev said.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on Friday that although the decision was "difficult to make", US leader Joe Biden ultimately decided to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions for its counteroffensive after consulting with allies and lawmakers.
During a press briefing, Sullivan said: "It's a difficult decision...There was a unanimous recommendation from the national security team, and President Biden ultimately decided, in consultation with allies and partners and in consultation with members of Congress, to move forward on this step".
Just hours before, humanitarian organizations condemned the initial plans to supply the cluster munitions after citing the long-lasting threat posed by them since they leave behind unexploded bomblets.
Baptiste Chapuis of Handicap International - Humanity and Inclusion (HI) said: "This is a death sentence to civilians over the long term. There are people who have not yet been born who will fall victim" to cluster bombs.
"The USA's plan to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine is a retrograde step, which undermines the considerable advances made by the international community in its attempts to protect civilians from such dangers," Amnesty International researcher Patrick Wilcken said in a statement. HRW "urges the USA to reconsider".
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.
Washington is crossing the line by supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions, Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs First Deputy Chair Vladimir Dzhabaro told Sputnik.
"What will happen next?" he wondered. "Atomic Weapons? First, there was depleted uranium, then the real deal. That is, they are already going to the end," Dzhabarov said, underlining that Moscow would seek the destruction of supply channels.
The United States was reported in June to have been on the verge of approving a package of ammunition that includes depleted uranium rounds.
The approval of this package by the Biden administration is said to be imminent, as there are no major obstacles or objections within US decision-making rooms.
The package, which is under debate at the White House, aims to provide support for the Ukrainian counter-offensive as they continue their efforts to regain territory from Russian forces.
The United Kingdom announced in March its intention to provide depleted uranium ammunition to Ukrainian forces, along with training and Challenger 2 tanks. The Biden administration's decision to provide Ukraine with depleted-uranium rounds comes after weeks of internal deliberation on how to equip the Abrams tanks that the US is providing to Kyiv.
Depleted uranium rounds, regularly used by the US Army, are known for their effectiveness against armored vehicles, however, they present great health and environmental risks.
The Biden administration is looking to provide Kiev with any advantage possible in its counteroffensive against Russia, in an attempt to put it in an advantageous position if negotiations are to be held between the warring sides, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Some officials have expressed apprehension that sending such ammunition may subject the US to criticism for providing a weapon.
While political support for Ukraine remains strong on Capitol Hill, some lawmakers caution that backing may diminish if Ukraine's counteroffensive falls short. They argue that the White House should be more supportive of Ukraine's current arms requests.
