The head of the ministry noted: “We will report on the results of the use of cluster munitions, and I believe that next week we will have the first report, which I will share with my partners working in the Pentagon. I hope that these projectiles will be more effective than conventional munitions.” He said he was waiting for the report to be submitted to the Pentagon, “probably Monday or Tuesday.” He said the report was part of an agreement with the US Department of Defense on the transfer of cluster munitions.
On July 7, the United States announced an $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, which included cluster munitions for the first time. Washington’s assistance has drawn criticism from several European countries, as well as Canada, where cluster munitions are considered dangerous to civilians, and their use and possession are prohibited by international agreements. Among other countries, the United States, Russia and Ukraine have not signed the international convention banning cluster munitions. US President Joe Biden previously admitted that the decision to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine was not easy, but in the absence of conventional artillery shells, he considered it the right decision.
Cover photo credit: Zulkarneev Denis via Getty Images
