The United States on Wednesday denied the Kremlin’s statement about the supply of British armour-piercing shells containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called Moscow’s complaints a “fake” argument. Munitions that enhance the ability to destroy enemy armor are “not radioactive” and “don’t even come close” to being a type of nuclear weapon, Kirby said.
“This is a common type of ammunition that is used, in part, because of its armor-piercing capabilities. So again, if Russia is particularly concerned about the safety of its tanks and tankers , she can just send them back across the border to Russia,” he said. “I really think… Russia just doesn’t want Ukraine to keep destroying their tanks.”
Kirby pointed out that while the United States is by far the largest source of military aid to the Ukrainian armed forces fighting the Russian invasion, Washington “does not supply depleted uranium” to Kiev.
A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council also criticized the Russian Defense Ministry for issuing awards to pilots involved in the crash or downing of a high-tech US drone over the black Sea.
In a video released by the Pentagon, Russian planes allegedly circled the drone and headed into collision with it, after which it crashed into the sea. Moscow claims an American drone lost control.
“I don’t know of any other military in the world that rewards a pilot for hitting a drone. If it’s bravery, then I think there’s another definition,” Kirby said. “I don’t know why they gave a bravery award to a pilot who at worst mischievously put himself himself and American weapons in jeopardy, and at best, was just an idiot.”
