The Armed Forces of Ukraine welcomes the transfer of cluster bombs from the United States as they provide the opportunity to adequately respond to Russia’s use of these weapons, Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on July 14.
The Russians constantly use cluster munitions in fighting against Ukraine, he said on national television.
“This is a common practice for them,” the officer said.
“Starting with the war against Ichkeria (Chechnya), in Syria, with the start of the hybrid war (in Ukraine) in 2014, and then the full-scale invasion in 2022. Now it’s payback time.”
“First of all, they (Russians) launch them (cluster bombs) from such multiple launch rocket systems as Smerch and Uragan.”
“They hit our positions and peaceful cities with cluster bombs. Therefore, payback time comes for everything. Thanks to our partners, we’ll also have the opportunity to adequately respond to them.”
On July 7, Washington announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine, which included Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional bombs (DPICM), also known as cluster bombs. U.S. President Joe Biden later clarified his decision to supply these bombs was made in light of the Ukrainian military’s dwindling artillery stocks.
The United States’ decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions is a stopgap measure driven by a shortage of conventional artillery shells, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on July 11.
Ukraine has already received cluster bombs from the United States, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi confirmed on July 13.
“We just got them, we haven’t used them yet, but they can radically change the situation on the battlefield,” Tarnavskyi said.
The provision of this ammunition to Ukraine provoked different reactions around the world. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that the supply of such weapons would help compensate for the Ukrainian army’s shell deficit.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance does not influence the decisions of individual countries to supply such weapons, while the United Kingdom and Spain said they disapproved.
Russia claims that the supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine “will not change anything,” while Cambodia warned against the use of these bombs because of the risks to the civilian population.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on July 12 that the Armed Forces would use cluster bombs exclusively to engage military targets in the occupied territories.
Source : YahooNews
