The UK regularly uses depleted uranium munitions, which are not classified as nuclear weapons. So said the British Ministry of Defense, accusing Russia of spreading misinformation about these shells, transmits news from heaven. The military department’s comment came after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement accused the West of supplying “weapons with a nuclear component”.
“The British Army has used depleted uranium in its ammunition for decades. This is a standard component that has nothing to do with nukes or (nuclear) capabilities. Russia knows this, but is deliberately trying to misinform,” an anonymous UK MoD spokesman said.
According to him, independent studies by scientists – in particular the Royal Society of London – have shown “that any impact on human health and the environment from the use of depleted uranium munitions is likely to be small”.
Former British Army officer Colonel Hamish of Bretton-Gordon called the Russian president’s remarks ‘completely untrue’ because depleted uranium ‘cannot be used as nuclear fuel or turned into a nuclear weapon’ , writes Sky News.
Britain intends to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium shells
On Tuesday, March 21, British Undersecretary of Defense Annabelle Goldie announced that London would supply Kiev with armour-piercing shells containing depleted uranium as well as Challenger 2 tanks. She noted that “these shells are very effective in defeat modern tanks and armored vehicles”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would be obliged to respond to the supply of depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine “appropriately” because “the collective West is already beginning to use weapons with nuclear components”. According to the head of state, the decision to transfer these shells to Kiev means that “the West has decided to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian, not in words, but in deeds.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the supply of depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine had prompted Moscow “to think seriously about the future course of events, with which we can react”. He also noted that the steps towards a nuclear collision are “less and less.”
Ammunition containing depleted uranium, in particular, has been used in the conflicts in Yugoslavia and Iraq. Military expert Vladimir Gundarov noted in a conversation with RTVI that due to their strength they have greater penetrating power, which makes it possible to hit armored targets and long-term shelters more effectively, for example. example of tank armor. At the same time, accumulated nuclides can pose a problem for human health when using depleted uranium munitions, says Gundarov.
