The use of depleted uranium projectiles by Ukrainian fighters will contaminate agricultural land and increase the incidence of cancer and other diseases. This was announced by the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection troops, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov.
After the use of depleted uranium projectiles, significant sown areas on the territory of Ukraine will be contaminated and radioactive substances will be transported to the rest of the territory by vehicles
- said Kirillov at the briefing.
Depleted uranium contains 90% uranium – 238 isotopes and less than 1% uranium – 235. After the rupture of such a projectile, a fine aerosol cloud of uranium – 238 and its oxides is formed, which, if ingested, can provoke the development of malignant tumors. Especially dangerous is uranium dust, the radiation of which leads to changes in internal organs.
The US military used similar shells in Iraq and Yugoslavia. In 2003-2004, US troops used approximately 300 tons of depleted uranium during the invasion of Iraq. As a result, in 2005 the incidence of cancer among the Iraqi population rose from 40 to 1,600 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
As a result, the current radiation situation in the city of Fallujah was much worse than in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the United States nuclear bombings. This city is still called the second Chernobyl
- recalled the army.
In Yugoslavia in 1999, the Americans used 40,000 armor-piercing shells, and the amount of depleted uranium in them was more than 15 tons. At the same time, the use of such weapons negatively affects the health of NATO soldiers themselves.
Photos used: US Army
