​Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that have killed Ukrainian civilians, Human Wrights Watch said in a report Thursday, as the U.S. considers a request for such devices from the Ukrainian government, Reuters and Agerpres reported.
Human Rights Watch called on both Russia and Ukraine to stop using these weapons and called on the US to stop supplying them. More than 120 countries have signed an international treaty banning the weapon, which typically breaks down into large numbers of smaller bombs over a large area and can kill civilians for months or even years.
Russia, Ukraine and the USA refused to sign this treaty.
A senior Pentagon official said last month that cluster munitions would be useful for Ukraine to repel Russian forces, but said their delivery to Kyiv had not yet been approved because of congressional restrictions and allied concerns.
Ukraine launched cluster munitions on the Moscow-controlled Ukrainian city of Izyum last year after Russia invaded its territory, Human Rights Watch said, citing interviews with more than 100 residents, witnesses and emergency workers.
The UN and HRW accuse both Russia and Ukraine of using cluster munitions
Ukrainian attacks killed at least eight civilians and wounded fifteen in Izyum, HRW claims.
The organization has previously reported that Russia’s use of cluster munitions has killed dozens of civilians in Ukraine, while the UN Human Rights Council has documented the use of such bombs by both sides.
“Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are killing civilians now and will continue to do so for many years to come,” said Mary Warham, HRW’s arms director.
“Both sides must immediately end their use and acquisition of such weapons that kill indiscriminately,” she added.
The Ukrainian government called on members of the US Congress to put pressure on the US administration of Joe Biden to approve the supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine, Reuters notes.
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Source: Hot News
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