Will US Send Depleted Uranium Shells to Ukraine? All You Need to Know
US media have reported that the United States will provide depleted uraninum munitions to Ukraine. Why is Russia concerned about the us of depleted uranium shells in the Ukraine conflict? Is depleted uranium radiocative? Sputnik India explains.
SputnikThe controversial depleted uranium shells, whose toxicity and detrimental effect on the environment have been a cause of concern since NATO and the US used them in Kosovo and Iraq, respectively, have once again been thrust into the limelight -- this time, over news about the potential supply of depleted uranium (DU) shells to Ukraine.
"I cannot," a White House National Security Council spokesperson told Sputnik when asked to confirm whether the Biden administration will supply depleted uranium projectiles to the Kiev regime, as US media have suggested.
Sputnik India explains why is Russia have voiced an alarm over potential supplies of depleted uranium shells to Ukraine and to what consequences it can lead.
What is Depleted Uranium?
Depleted uranium is a dense metal that possesses exceptional properties for military applications.
Its high density makes it ideal for armor-piercing projectiles, as it can easily penetrate thick armor.
Additionally, depleted uranium is self-sharpening, which means it maintains its shape and penetrative capabilities upon impact, making it highly effective against armored targets.
Depleted uranium has been extensively used in military conflicts since the 1990s. It has found its place in various ammunition types, including rounds, shells, bullets, and armor. Its effectiveness in penetrating armored vehicles and fortifications has made it a
preferred choice for anti-tank weaponry.
Controversies Surrounding Depleted Uranium Shells
Despite its military advantages, depleted uranium has become a subject of intense controversy.
One of the primary concerns is its potential health and environmental impacts.
When depleted uranium projectiles strike their targets, they release fine particles of uranium dust, which can be inhaled or
contaminate the soil and water. This raises concerns about the long-term effects on both human health and the environment.
Is Depleted Uranium Radioactive?
One of the most debated questions is whether depleted uranium is radioactive: while depleted uranium is less radioactive than natural uranium, it still emits low levels of radiation.
However, the main health risk associated with depleted uranium is not its radioactivity, but rather its chemical toxicity: studies have shown correlations between exposure to depleted uranium and various health problems, such as
Did NATO Use Depleted Uranium Bombs?
NATO forces used depleted uranium ammo in Yugoslavia and Iraq, where now surging rates of cancer, including
cancer among children, have been recorded.
NATO soldiers are also suffering the effects of these ammo, since their commanders failed to inform them about the potential health risks.
British activists from Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament have revealed that widespread use of depleted uranium shells by the US and the UK in the Balkans and Iraq triggered a "sharp increase in cases of various types of cancer, such as breast cancer or lymphoma".
The supplies of [depledted uranium ammo] to Ukraine is a “manifestation of genocide against the population that such weapons are targeting,” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik Radio earlier.
Are Depleted Uranium Weapons Banned?
Debates over whether uranium can cause severe health problems in civilians and soldiers were reignited with the United Kingdom's announcement that it will supply depleted uranium shells to Ukraine earlier this spring.
This prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to warn that his country would be "forced to react accordingly" to the West's use of what he referred to as "weapons with a nuclear component."
However, DU shells are still not banned by international law.
According to the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, depleted uranium does not meet the legal definitions of nuclear, radiological, toxin, chemical, poison or incendiary weapons, as far as DU ammunition is not designed nor intended to kill or wound by its chemical or radiological effects.