US Sends Cluster Bombs to Ukraine Despite Civilian Threat
- Sullivan says Russia has used millions of cluster bombs
- Allies determined to bridge artillery shortfall over summer
Two people look at a destroyed house in Valuyki, Ukraine on July 5.
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The US said it will send cluster bombs to Ukraine as part of a new push to support the country’s counteroffensive and boost its dwindling stocks of ammunition, overruling concerns that the weapons often fail to explode and pose a grave danger to civilians.
President Joe Biden called the move a “difficult decision” given the risk posed by cluster bombs, but said Russia has been raining the munitions on Ukraine for months. US officials said Kyiv’s forces have been firing artillery at a rate that exceeds production and the US needs to make sure supplies don’t run out before output ramps up later this year.