ABC’s Martha Raddatz on Sunday hit back at National Security Council spokeswoman John Kirby over the administration’s decision to send controversial so-called “cluster munitions” to Ukraine.
The Biden administration has announced plans to send M864 155mm shells, commonly known as cluster munitions, to Ukraine. These weapons disperse smaller explosives throughout an area to attack personnel and vehicles.They are controversial because of the danger posed by “unexploded” submunitions that can harm civilians long after the war is over, Washington Post report.
“The president has made the decision to send cluster bombs. These are banned in so many places around the world, including most of our allies. Why send them to Ukraine?” Raddatz asked. rice field.
“Simple. This is about keeping Ukraine in the fight. You were just there. “They’re using cannons at a very high rate, Martha. Thousands of rounds a day. It’s literally a shootout,” Kirby claimed. “We are running out of stock.” (Related: ‘It’s Crossing the Line’: Democrats Warn Biden Administration About Sending Cluster Bombs to Ukraine)
“You don’t have enough of the kind of ammunition they need, so you send them cluster munitions?” Raddatz pushed.
“That’s right.”
“I would like to ask why the US has not banned them before? Clearly they are a threat to civilians if they do not explode. Why does the US not ban them?”
“We are very mindful of civilian casualties and the concerns of unexploded ordnance being picked up by civilians and children being injured. Kirby said. “These munitions provide useful capabilities on the battlefield. They will use cluster munitions to defend their own territory, even though they obviously have a very low failure rate. More civilians have been killed by Russian forces than civilians harmed by the use of cluster munitions fired at Russian military positions on Ukrainian territory, whether by drones, missile attacks, or simply frontal attacks. will continue to be killed.”
The decision to send cluster munitions has come under global condemnation, with political leaders in Spain and Britain expressing opposition to Mr Biden’s decision. But the Biden administration used to oppose munitions. Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki said reports of Russia using munitions in 2022 could be a “war crime” if true.
More than 100 countries, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, have reportedly banned the use of cluster munitions. CNN.
