Following the United States' delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia possesses a substantial reserve of these controversial weapons. In a recent interview, Putin confirmed Russia's possession of cluster munitions while stating they haven't been deployed in the ongoing conflict. However, he cautioned that Russia retains the option of retaliatory measures should Ukraine utilize these weapons.

The Pentagon recently confirmed the arrival of US-supplied cluster munitions in Ukraine, intended to support their ongoing counteroffensive. These munitions, which scatter smaller bomblets over a wide area, have drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations due to the risk of unexploded ordnance posing a threat to civilians. The decision to send these weapons to Ukraine followed extensive deliberation within the US administration.

While Putin denies Russia's use of cluster bombs, many experts contend otherwise, highlighting the superior quality and lower unexploded ordnance rate of the US-provided munitions. Ukraine has pledged to deploy these weapons responsibly, avoiding populated areas. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about escalation and the humanitarian impact of these weapons.