Ready To Use Cluster Bomb If Ukraine Wears The Same Weapon, President Putin: Russia Has Various Types

President Vladimir Putin. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin firmly warned Russia has the right to use a bomb cluster or bunch munitions, in response to Ukraine's use of this weapon.

"Russia has sufficient reserves for different types of bunch ammunition, of various types. So far we haven't done it, we haven't used it yet, and we don't have such a need, despite the lack of ammunition at a certain time point. However, we didn't," President Putin said in an interview with 'Moscow, Kremlin, Putin' on the Rossiya-1 TV channel., reported TASS July 16.

"But of course, if they (mark munitions) are used against us, we have the right to take countermeasures," he continued.

President Putin further expressed his belief that the supply of bomb clusters to Ukraine and its use should be treated as a crime.

"Regarding the bunch munitions, the US Government itself through its staff has given its opinion on this ammunition some time ago, when the use of the bunch munitions was called a crime by the US Government itself. So, I think, OF course, it should be treated," explained President Putin.

In addition, President Putin believes the US supplies bunch munitions to Ukraine due to a general shortage of bullets.

"They did this not because of their kindness, but because they lacked ammunition in general," he said.

He explained "Ukrainian soldiers spend 5,000-6,000 155mm caliber bullets per day in combat, while the US produces 15,000 bullets per month."

"They are lacking and Europe no longer has enough bullets. So they didn't find anything better than proposing the use of bunch ammunition," he explained.

Earlier, Ukraine said on Thursday it had received a cluster bomb from the United States, its biggest military supporter, needed to compensate for the bullet shortages Kyiv forces faced at the time of their retaliatory attacks.

It is known, the Munition of the bunches is prohibited in more than 100 countries because it usually releases large numbers of small bombs that can kill indiscriminately in large areas. Some of them inevitably fail to explode and could cause harm for decades, especially for children.

Kyiv himself said he would use bulk bombs to repel concentrations of enemy soldiers when trying to retake its own territory, but would not use it in Russian territory.

Human Rights Watch says Moscow and Kyiv have used bunch munitions. Both Russia, Ukraine and the US have not signed the Bulk Munition Convention, which prohibits production, hoarding, use, and arms transfer.