Russia lashes out at US ‘shameless’ defense of Kiev's 'proper' use of cluster bombs

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov has lashed out at Washington for its “shameless” and “outrageous” support of Ukraine’s use of globally banned cluster munitions, noting that the bombs have already killed a Russian journalist.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Antonov slammed Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder on Thursday for his remarks claiming that the US has “all indications” that Ukraine is “properly” employing cluster munitions.

“Attempts by US officials to portray Ukraine’s use of controversial cluster munitions as appropriate and legitimate are shameless and outrageous,” Antonov said.

He further cited Ukraine’s July 22 shelling with cluster bombs which killed a Russian reporter who worked for RIA Novosti. Three other journalists were also wounded.

“I would like to know whether ‘the proper use’ of cluster bombs is also true for the assassination of Russian journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev,” Antonov said.

“Is there any limit to the cynicism of the Pentagon functionaries who make such statements?” he added.

Antonov also said “Ukrainian terrorists” have orchestrated assassination of several high-profile Russian figures with Western weapons and are responsible for death of hundreds of children.

He further slammed Kiev for regularly shelling residential areas, staging “terrorist attacks” on the Crimean Bridge and civilian ships, and carrying out strikes on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, and held Ukraine and the US accountable for the “lawlessness.”

“Responsibility for all this lawlessness lies with both Kiev and Washington,” Antonov said.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian armed forces shelled civilian targets, including a university, in the Russian-controlled Donetsk City with banned cluster munitions twice on the same day.

Ukraine using US-supplied cluster bombs against Russian forces: White House

The US has confirmed that Ukraine is using Washington-supplied cluster bombs against Russian forces.

The US confirmed in July that Ukraine is using Washington-supplied cluster bombs against Russian forces despite widespread concerns that such munitions can cause civilian casualties.

Washington’s decision to supply Kiev with cluster bombs was opposed by many countries across the world, including its Western allies.

Cluster bombs are banned under the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), an international treaty that addresses the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused to civilians by cluster munitions through a categorical prohibition and a framework for action.

The weapons can contain dozens of smaller bomblets, dispersing over vast areas, often killing and maiming civilians. The CCMs are banned because unexploded bomblets can pose a risk to civilians for years after the fighting is over.

Cluster munitions generally eject submunitions that can cover five times as much area as conventional bombs.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which took effect in 2010, bans all use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs. More than 100 countries have signed the treaty, but the US, Russia and Ukraine have not.

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