The US is supplying Ukraine with a highly controversial and effective weapon: uranium munitions. The projectiles are notorious for their power. Not only do they penetrate armored clothing, they also have undesirable side effects, the effects of which are disputed.
During his visit to Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $1 billion in US aid to Kiev. According to the Department of Defense, this includes depleted uranium ammunition for US Abrams-type tanks. The tanks will be delivered soon. Two months ago, Joe Biden’s administration attracted attention by providing cluster munitions.
The uranium announcement fits seamlessly with the gradual intensification of US firepower in Ukraine – although this supply promise is also debatable. The metal is poisonous to both soldiers and other people who come into contact with it. krone.at answers all important questions about the gun below.
What is Uranium Munitions?
Depleted uranium is a waste product resulting from the enrichment of uranium for use in nuclear power plants or in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. It is about 60 percent less radioactive than uranium in its natural state.
Uranium has a very high density, about 1.7 times as dense as lead. It’s so hard that it barely changes shape when it hits a target – and is therefore considered armor-piercing. That is why depleted uranium is used to make grenades and bombs more powerful.
Is uranium munitions a nuclear weapon?
According to John Kirby, spokesman for the US National Security Council, uranium munitions are not radioactive and “not even close” to being a nuclear weapon. The use of uranium ammunition or DU ammunition (English: depleted uranium) is not prohibited under international law.
The German federal government has also recently stated that uranium munitions would not be considered ‘nuclear weapons’ – as Russia has claimed in the past. In addition, research in areas where the ammunition has been used has shown that no “significant exposure to radiation of the population” is to be expected. For example, uranium ammunition was used in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Kuwait.
Is uranium munitions already in use in Ukraine?
The controversial ammunition is also already being used in Ukraine. In April, London delivered thousands of projectiles to Kiev for Britain’s Challenger 2 main battle tanks, including armor-piercing depleted uranium munitions. “For security reasons, we will not comment on how many shots Ukraine has already used,” Defense Secretary James Heappey said in response to a written question to the British Parliament.
Overview of western weapon systems in Ukraine:
According to Western officials, the Russian armed forces are also in possession of the VU munitions. Depleted uranium bullets are part of the military arsenal in many countries, especially in the United States and Russia. It was used in the Second and Third Gulf Wars and in the former Yugoslavia in 1990. The Pentagon has admitted to using depleted uranium twice in 2015 in the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria.
How toxic is uranium munitions?
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) classifies depleted uranium as a toxic and radioactive heavy metal. Upon impact with their target, the projectiles release uranium oxide and particles. According to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the greatest health risk is not radioactivity, but the chemical toxicity of depleted uranium.
Accordingly, the ingestion or inhalation of large amounts can affect the kidneys and increase the risk of lung cancer over a long period of time.
Depleted uranium is also believed to be a possible cause of health problems among Gulf War veterans and a possible reason for the high rate of cancer and birth defects in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. However, this has not been scientifically proven.
Many studies have concluded that there is no evidence that depleted uranium is harmful. However, these results remain controversial.
What does the United Nations say about uranium munitions?
According to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Unoda), studies involving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have not revealed significant risks to the public and the environment from the use of depleted uranium, as long as only minor parts are released into the environment upon impact.
On the other hand, in situations where fragments or even whole depleted uranium ammunition are found, “there would be a potential risk of radiation exposure to persons who come into direct contact with it”.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
