Kirby Provides Insight on US Supply of Controversial Cluster Munitions to Ukraine
In an interview on ABC's "This Week," John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House's National Security Council, defended the decision of the Biden administration to provide Ukraine with controversial cluster munitions, despite concerns about the risks they pose to civilians and their prohibition in numerous countries. Kirby emphasized that Ukraine intends to minimize the impact of the bombs outside of the battlefield, highlighting the importance of preventing Russia from prevailing in the ongoing conflict as a means of safeguarding non-combatants.
The rationale behind supplying cluster munitions at this time, Kirby explained, is to address the rapid depletion of Ukrainian forces' other artillery. He described the situation as a gunfight where inventory is being exhausted.
Cluster bombs are deployed to target specific areas, dispersing explosive bomblets over a wide region. However, this method increases the danger of unexploded ordnance acting as land mines, posing a threat to civilians long after they were fired.
Kirby acknowledged the concerns about civilian casualties and the potential harm caused by unexploded ordnance, particularly to civilians and children. He assured that the focus will be on demining efforts in collaboration with Ukraine.
Regarding the usage of cluster munitions by Ukrainian forces, Kirby clarified that they have a low dud rate. These munitions will be employed in defense of Ukrainian territory, targeting Russian positions. Kirby argued that the harm inflicted by Russian forces, whether through cluster munitions, drones, missile attacks, or direct assaults, surpasses the potential risks associated with the use of cluster munitions against Russian positions within Ukrainian territory.
While addressing the concerns raised, Kirby underlined the Biden administration's commitment to mitigating civilian casualties and emphasized the objective of protecting Ukraine's sovereignty and population in the face of aggression from Russian forces.