Musk criticizes the US decision to prove Ukraine with cluster bombs out of desperation.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has accused the United States of hypocrisy in reference to its supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are widely prohibited.
In a tweet, Musk criticized the US for resorting to providing cluster bombs out of desperation, considering it a degradation of the country’s reputation without significantly impacting the course of the war.
“We have run out of normal ammunition to send Ukraine, so now send them cluster bombs in desperation, debasing ourselves with no change to the outcome.”
He commended the bipartisan efforts of House Republicans and Democrats who tried to prevent the transfer of cluster munitions.
It is worth noting that the US decision to deliver these munitions to Ukraine has drawn criticism from allies like the UK, Canada, and Germany, who have voiced concerns and declined to provide such weaponry.
Russian officials, including Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, condemned the move.
Zakharova cautioned that the US would be held responsible for the consequences, including the potential loss of innocent lives.
Shoigu warned that if the US supplies cluster munitions to Ukraine, Russia would feel compelled to retaliate with equivalent weapons against Ukrainian forces.
Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia has not yet used cluster munitions, adding that if such weaponry is used against Russian forces; Moscow reserves the right to respond in kind.
“Until now, we have not done this, we have not used it, and we did not have such a need, despite the known shortage of ammunition by us as well in a certain period of time, but we did not do this. But, of course, if they are used against us, we reserve the right to mirror actions,” Putin said in an interview for Rossiya-1 broadcaster.
Putin made these comments in response to the recent unveiling of a new US military assistance package for Ukraine, which includes cluster munitions.
He also mentioned that Russia possesses an adequate supply of various types of cluster munitions.
“They [the US] do this not from a good life, but because they have a shortage of ammunition in general,” Putin said.
Furthermore, Putin mentioned that while Russia possesses an abundance of contemporary military vehicles, they are open to the possibility of studying equipment provided by Western countries if such an opportunity arises. This willingness to explore and learn from West-supplied equipment is considered beneficial by Putin.
“There is a term, ‘reverse engineering.’ Well, let’s see, modern equipment is modern equipment. We have it, and it is very effective, well, for instance, the T-90 Proryv tank. The best tank in the world. Without any exaggeration,” he said, adding that “if there is an opportunity to look inside [trophy equipment] and see if there is something that can be applied to us, well, why not,” he stated.
The Russian leader also criticized the use of cluster munitions, stating that it should be considered a crime, referring to previous assessments made by the US administration itself.
“It would be.” – “If that were true, it would potentially be a war crime,” then-White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, said in a briefing when asked about allegations of Russia’s use of cluster bombs just five days into the war in February 2022.
Source: Almayadeen
