2023-07-09 16:42:48
500 days of the Ukrainian War
A history of continuing tragedy
▲ On the 8th (local time), the 500th day of the war in Ukraine, the bereaved families of fallen soldiers who visited the war museum in the capital city of Kyiu weep and hug each other in front of a portrait of a fallen soldier painted on a shell box by French street artist Christian Gemi. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marked the 500th day on the 8th (local time), voices of concern are emerging from Russia as well as Western allies over the support for cluster bombs decided by US President Joe Biden. Cluster bombs, also known as ‘steel rain’, have great indiscriminate killing power and unexploded bombs can lead to extensive civilian damage, so most Western countries have stopped using them.
Previously, the Pentagon announced on the 7th that it would provide new military aid to Ukraine in the amount of $ 800 million (about 1.412 trillion won), including cluster bombs. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a briefing that day, “We are aware of the possibility of killing civilians due to the risk of unexploded cluster munitions, and because of this, we have been contemplating for a long time.”
President Biden said in a CNN interview on the same day, “It was discussed with allies and Congress,” and said, “It was a very difficult decision.” Speaking about the war in Ukraine, he said that munitions were important. “We are running out of ammunition. (So) we accepted the recommendation of the Ministry of National Defense and decided to support cluster munitions only during the transitional period until we produce enough shells for 155mm howitzers.” It is a weapon that inflicts damage over a wide range by inserting two small bombs. When the mother bomb explodes in the sky, the child bombs rain down on the ground, which is also called steel rain. Because of this lethal power, more than 120 countries are participating in the Convention to Ban Cluster Munitions (CCM), which bans the use and manufacture. The United States, Russia and Ukraine are not participating.
Western countries also expressed concern about US aid because of the inhumane killing power of cluster bombs.
According to the BBC on the 8th, Britain, Canada, and Spain, which had supported Ukraine, all opposed the US policy. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with reporters on the same day and made clear his negative stance, saying, “The UK is a signatory to the relevant agreement banning the use, manufacture, possession and transfer of cluster munitions.”
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles also made it clear that “certain weapons and bombs cannot be sent to Ukraine,” and the Canadian government also stressed in a statement that “the effects of cluster munitions on civilians, especially children, must be cut off.” The German government said it would not provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, but said it understood the US policy.
Opposition is also spreading within the United States, with 19 members of the Democratic House Progressive Group, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal, announcing a statement opposing the decision.
According to Tass News on the 8th, Russia, which will be a potential drop-off country for cluster munitions, naturally protested. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement that the US decision to provide cluster munitions was “an example of an aggressive policy aimed at delaying the war.” criticized that
“We must liberate the occupied territories and save the lives of our people,” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikow tweeted. insisted.
Washington Correspondent Lee Jae-yeon
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