Cluster Munitions, Former Ukrainian Missiles Being Used In Strikes

Russia has violated international humanitarian law by using cluster munitions in Ukraine, reports Human Rights Watch (HRW) (New York).

The HRW investigation found evidence of Russian cluster munition strikes in the city of Kherson on Nov.19, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22.

Separately, the U.S. military official told the press on Dec. 12 that Russian forces were using ammunition so quickly that they would likely soon become reliant on ammunition produced up to 40 years ago, reported Military.com.

Already, 1970s-era, Ukrainian-built weapons are showing up in Russian strikes, reported the New York Times.

Following an October strike, Ukrainian intelligence officials found the remnants of a Kh-55 subsonic cruise missile. The nuclear-capable missile was apparently used as a decoy against Ukraine air defenses since its payload had been removed.

Ukrainian-built nuclear weapons were transferred to Russia in the 1990s as part of the Budapest Memorandum, under which Russia committed to Ukrainian security.