Ukraine using US cluster munitions: White House

washington The White House has confirmed that Ukraine is “effectively” using controversial US-supplied cluster munitions. In a statement on Thursday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “They (Ukraine) are using them appropriately and effectively, and they are actually affecting Russia’s defensive structures and Russia’s maneuvers.”

Ukraine received a delivery of US-made cluster munitions earlier this month after Kiev warned it was running out of ammunition to launch a retaliatory strike against Russia, the BBC reported. Ukraine has also promised that the bombs will only be used to take out Russian enemy troops.

These weapons, when used in populated areas, scatter the explosive material over large areas. Those that fail to detonate can detonate years later, posing a long-term threat similar to landmines, reports CNN.

On 16 July, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow would consider using the cluster weapons against Ukraine if they were used against us. Speaking to CNN earlier this month, US President Joe Biden said the decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine was “very difficult”.

But he chose to do so because Kiev needs more ammunition to continue its fight to push Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory. In March, the United Nations said Russian forces have used cluster munitions on populated areas at least 24 times since the invasion began in February 2022.