Russia Holds Ample Supply of Cluster Bombs, Putin Warns

President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia has an ample supply of cluster bombs and reserved the right to use them if such munitions were employed against Russian forces in Ukraine. While Putin regarded the use of cluster bombs as a crime, he emphasized that Russia had not yet utilized them. However, if they were used against Russia, he asserted that reciprocal action would be taken.

Ukraine recently announced that it had received cluster bombs from the United States, its primary military supporter. The U.S. justified the provision of these munitions as a means to address shell shortages faced by Ukrainian forces during their counter-offensive. Cluster munitions are banned in over 100 countries due to their tendency to release numerous smaller bomblets that can cause indiscriminate casualties over a wide area. Unexploded bomblets can pose dangers for extended periods, particularly to children.

While Kyiv stated that it would use cluster bombs to dislodge enemy concentrations within its territory, it clarified that it would not employ them on Russian soil. Putin informed state TV that Moscow would respond accordingly if deemed necessary. "I want to note that in the Russian Federation, there is a sufficient stockpile of different kinds of cluster bombs. We have not used them yet. But, of course, if they are used against us, we reserve the right to take reciprocal action."

Despite experiencing ammunition shortages in the past, Putin affirmed that Russia had refrained from using cluster bombs, which he considered a crime. Human Rights Watch reported the use of cluster munitions by both Moscow and Kyiv. Notably, Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. have not ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the production, stockpiling, use, and transfer of such weapons.

Additionally, Putin expressed no objections to Russian specialists examining captured Western military equipment and missiles, including Storm Shadow missiles supplied by Britain to Ukraine. The purpose of this examination was to identify any useful components that could be incorporated into Russia's military hardware.