The US is considering sending depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine, as the UK has already done

United State Consider sending Depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine to arm their tanks M1 AbramsIt is a type of weapon known for its high effectiveness against tanks and other armored vehicles, as well as its capabilities Health risks derived from its name. According to The Wall Street Journal, quoting official sources, the administration of Joe Biden It is soon set to agree to deliver the controversial munitions after several weeks of internal debate, though its tanks are not expected to arrive in Ukraine until next fall. If these intentions are confirmed, Washington will follow suit United kingdomwhich was already announced in March that Depleted uranium shells will be sent to Challenger 2 tanksThe announcement sparked an uproar from the Kremlin.

Discussion of US plans began in January, shortly after the White House agreed to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to support the efforts of its European allies, who had managed to overcome Germany’s initial reluctance to supply dozens of Leopard tank for the Slavic country. The initiative came from pentagonalaccording to the New York newspaper, which would have succeeded in overcoming the reluctance of some voices in the White House to worry about Health and environmental risks associated with depleted uranium. Senior Biden administration officials confirmed that US target Ukraine is allowed to achieve The maximum possible advance on the battlefield To put Kiev in a position of strength before the final peace negotiations, “says” the magazine.

Depleted uranium is extracted from the process to produce it nuclear fuel. It’s few radioactive than natural uranium, but it contains almost twice as much density that it bulletsvery effective hardness when it comes Destroy tanks, armored vehicles and bunkers. “It’s kind of common repertoireIt is used in particular for its ability to penetrate armor,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in March, before confirming that its projectiles are “neither radioactive” nor similar to nuclear weapons. The United States has already used them in the two wars they have fought. Iraqas well as in it Yugoslavia. Other militaries such as the Russians would also have this type of weapon in their arsenals, although there does not appear to be evidence of its use in Ukraine.

Weapons are not prohibited

At the end of March, the British Minister for the Armed Forces admitted that “the Ministry of Defense is not aware of any reliable information obtained from open sources that Russia is using depleted uranium in Ukraine.” James Heppyduring a parliamentary session. Although this heavy metal is considered conventional weapon It is not included in Arms ban treatieshe European Parliament It had called for its use to be halted for years as a step before it was banned.

according to United Nations Environment ProgramThe main danger posed by depleted uranium is not radioactivity, but radioactivity Toxic chemical characterThe dust it releases can cause skin irritation, kidney failure and an increased risk of cancer. His critics also contend that when projectiles don’t hit their targets, they can Pollution of fields and groundwater reservoirs.

The position of the Kremlin

In the absence of confirmation of the American decision, the Kremlin has already voiced it Refuse to use this type of weapon In Ukraine, despite the fact that its army was going to use other equally controversial weapons such as Cluster bombs or the incendiary matchAccording to different information. president Russian President Vladimir Putin London was accused a few weeks ago of contributing to the spread Weapons with a nuclear componentBefore adding that his country would have to “constantly respond”.

British depleted uranium has also been used to fuel some of the Russian regime’s propaganda campaigns. In mid-May, its Security Council Secretary announced, Nikolai Patrushev He mentioned that a radioactive cloud was approaching Poland and other European countries after Russian forces bombed an alleged Ukrainian weapons depot full of depleted uranium provided by its Western allies.