U.S. to send cluster munitions to Ukraine - White House (updated)

Ukraine will receive cluster munitions from United States.

This was announced by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Censor.NET reports citing hromadske.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that the US is sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Read also on Censor.NET: Supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions will be a temporary step by the US - The New York Times

"We recognise that cluster munitions pose a risk of harm to civilians from unexploded ordnance. That's why we delayed the decision as long as we could.

But there is also an enormous risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks move into Ukrainian positions, seize more Ukrainian territory and enslave more Ukrainians," Sullivan said.

In addition, the US presidential adviser noted that Ukraine had provided written guarantees. It pledged to minimise risks to civilians.

"Ukraine will not use these munitions in some foreign country. This is their territory, which they are defending, they are defending their citizens, and they are motivated to use any kind of weapon they have," said US Presidential Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Sullivan added that "the front line is constantly changing, so we cannot clearly identify the location of the shells on the map".

Read also on Censor.NET: "We believe that Ukrainians will succeed in counter-offensive" - Sullivan

Sullivan confirmed that Ukraine has asked the US to provide cluster munitions, and Washington recognises the need for them, especially given that there is currently insufficient capacity to produce conventional artillery ammunition.

Secondly, he stressed that Russia has been actively using cluster munitions since the beginning of this war, causing harm to civilians. He added that there is a "big difference" between the type of cluster munitions used by Russia in its war against Ukraine and the type that the US will provide to Ukrainian forces.

"Ukraine requested cluster munitions to defend its sovereign territory. The cluster munitions we would provide would have an unexploded submunition rate of no more than 2.5%," the Biden adviser said.

He stressed that the Pentagon will soon announce a new military aid package, which should include cluster munitions.