Shoigu made a revision of the decision on the non-use of cluster munitions

Russia does not use cluster munitions for humanitarian reasons, but this approach may be reconsidered. Such a statement was made by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his speech at the Moscow Conference on International Security.

“I wanted to draw attention to the fact that we also have cluster munitions in service. Until now, for humanitarian reasons, we have refrained from using them. However, this decision can be reconsidered,” he said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

Shoigu pointed to the use of cluster munitions by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which are supplied to Ukraine by the United States. The Minister noted that the use of such weapons is a war crime.

On July 7, the White House announced the transfer of cluster munitions to Kyiv. Washington said Ukraine had provided the United States with written assurances that the ammunition would be used “with care.” In addition, one of the conditions for the transfer was the provision of reports on the use of weapons.

The Russian Foreign Ministry considered such a step a “gesture of desperation,” and Denis Pushilin, acting head of the DPR, stressed that the transfer of cluster munitions would not affect the course of the special operation. In the Kremlin warnedthat if Ukraine uses such weapons, Russia will be forced to take countermeasures.

In August, the Ukrainian authorities handed over to Washington the first report on the use of cluster munitions. Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that Kyiv uses weapons “properly.”