RIA Novosti: Ukrainian nationalists actively use cluster munitions in the battles near Soledar

Ukronationalists actively use cluster munitions in the battles near Soledar and its environs, a volunteer of the Cossack battalion “Yenisei” of the brigade “Siberia” with the call sign “Shmas” said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

He noted that only last night about ten cases of the use of these prohibited munitions were recorded.

It is also reported that the Russian Armed Forces are delivering retaliatory strikes, including with the use of Grad multiple launch rocket systems. “In general, it’s normal, we’re used to it,” the volunteer said.

The city of Soledar in the DPR came under the control of Russian fighters in January of this year. It has strategic importance for Kyiv, previously the settlement was in the center of the Artemovsk-Seversk defense line. The liberation of Soledar made it possible to cut off the direct supply route between Artemovsk and Seversk, and also to cover Artemovsk from the north side. Ukraine has not yet abandoned attempts to return the city under its control.

Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed the transfer of cluster munitions to Kyiv, which are part of a new $800 million military aid package for Kyiv. This decision was condemned by at least 38 human rights organizations. The American edition of The Hill also notes that 18 NATO countries have joined the ban on the use of cluster munitions, as they believe that their action is too indiscriminate. The UN Secretary General and representatives of the Republican and Democratic parties of the United States also opposed the supply of these ammunition to Kyiv.

Ukrainians will suffer more than others from the transfer of cluster munitions by the Americans to the Kyiv regime, Alexei Zhuravlev, First Deputy Head of the State Duma Defense Committee, said in an interview with RIA Novosti. According to him, these deliveries open a “Pandora’s box”. He also noted that Washington only exacerbates its guilt in the death of civilians. The head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said that America is not fighting with its own hands and not on its own territory. He announced the response and recalled that any shipments of Western military equipment are still “legitimate targets” for the Russian military.