The Ukrainian diplomat believes that the media reports were part of Russian propaganda.

Turkey did not supply cluster munitions to Ukraine. Reports of this may be “part of Russian propaganda.” This was stated by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, in a comment to the “Anadolu” news agency.

According to him, the statements that previously appeared in the mass media about such deliveries are gossip.

“I completely reject these statements, which have nothing to do with reality. This news is created as a “psychological weapon” with the aim of damaging Turkey’s image,” Bodnar said.

The ambassador emphasized that international law prohibits the use of cluster munitions, and Ukraine adheres to international rules.

“Such statements are prepared specifically, pursuing the goal of harming Ukrainian-Turkish relations, as well as forming a negative international image of Ukraine and Turkey,” the diplomat said.

Cluster munitions and international law

The Convention on the Prohibition of Cluster Munitions was adopted in 2008 and entered into force in 2010. The convention was signed by more than 100 countries of the world and almost all European countries.

At the same time, the convention was not signed by the USA, Russia, China, Poland, Turkey, Romania and many other countries. Including Ukraine. This means that the armed forces can use cluster munitions to the extent that it is contrary to international humanitarian law – that is. such munitions cannot be used where they could cause harm to the civilian population.

On January 11, 2023, the mass media reported that Turkey had started supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine some time ago.

During the Russian invasion, numerous facts of the use of cluster munitions in violation of humanitarian law by the aggressor were confirmed.