Prohibited in over 120 countries! Biden approves: Provide the weapon to Ukraine by the United States | Ukraine | Biden
July 7th local time
The US Department of Defense announces
Will provide cluster ammunition to Ukraine
The United Nations stated that
Oppose the use of cluster munitions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
The US announces a new round of military aid to Ukraine
This includes cluster ammunition
On July 7th, US National Security Assistant Sullivan stated that US President Biden has approved the supply of cluster ammunition to Ukraine.
Later that day, the US Department of Defense announced a new $800 million military support plan for Ukraine, which includes dual-use improved conventional ammunition for 155mm howitzers, also known as cluster ammunition.
The US Department of Defense stated that the delivery date and process of cluster ammunition will be determined based on Ukraine's defense situation.
The US military has repeatedly used cluster ammunition
Bringing huge disasters to the local area
Cluster ammunition is a highly controversial type of ammunition, and depending on the model, a warhead can contain dozens to hundreds of explosive submunitions, which can be launched by air or ground. Once fired, the bullet explodes in the air, and the attack area of the bullet can cover several rugby fields.
More seriously, some submunitions fail to explode immediately after firing, and they are buried deep underground for a long period of time. Even years after the conflict ends, there is still a risk of explosion if someone touches or steps on them, which may lead to death or serious injury, posing a long-term threat to civilians.
Land contaminated by cluster ammunition cannot be cultivated due to safety issues, which also hinders the economic and social development of the host country and region.
Benjamin, the founder of an anti war organization in the United States, said that the consequences of this bad decision of the United States government will make the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict last for decades.
According to Reuters, the last time the United States used cluster ammunition was on the Iraq battlefield in 2003. Earlier, the United States had used this type of ammunition in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, causing huge disasters in the area. Reuters reported that between 1964 and 1973 alone, the United States threw approximately 260 million cluster ammunition at Laos. As of now, less than 400000 pieces, or less than 0.47%, of unexploded ordnance have been cleared, but at least 11000 people have died.
More than 120 countries have banned cluster ammunition
NATO claims no unified position
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg stated on July 7th that NATO does not have a unified position on the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Regardless of whether the Convention is signed or not, NATO member states unanimously agree that military support should be provided to Ukraine. However, the specific types of weapons and ammunition to be provided should be decided by each member state.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions, signed in 2008, explicitly prohibits the use, storage, production, and transfer of cluster ammunition. Currently, more than 120 countries have signed the Convention, while 8 NATO member countries, including the United States, have not yet signed it.
The United Nations: Against the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Using Cluster Munitions
On July 7th local time, when answering questions from CCTV reporters about the United States approving the delivery of cluster ammunition to Ukraine, UN Secretary General's Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Hack stated that the UN Secretary General supports the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was adopted 15 years ago, and he hopes that countries can comply with its provisions. The Secretary General of the United Nations does not want to continue to use cluster munitions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Russian Ambassador to the United States: Upgraded US provocation, Russia will respond strongly
Russian Ambassador to the United States Antonov stated on the 8th that the level of provocation by the United States has "exceeded its limits", bringing humanity closer to a new world war.
01:05
Antonov stated that even without cluster ammunition, there is no doubt that the United States is deeply involved in the conflict in Ukraine. The act of the United States providing deadly weapons to Ukraine is so cruel and shameless that it is shocking. The US government completely disregards the objections raised by experts and legislators, and has no regard for the risk of innocent civilians being injured by unexploded bombs. Antonov emphasized that the delivery of weapons by the United States to Ukraine will not have any impact on the achievement of Russia's special military operation objectives.
On the same day, the Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council, Gkarasin, stated that the United States will receive a strong response to providing cluster ammunition to Ukraine, and Russia hopes that the international community will give it the appropriate evaluation.