The Ministry of Defense acknowledges that Ukrainian armor-piercing shells contain depleted uranium, but adds that this is “standard” and has been the case for decades. In the meantime, Russia asserts that it must “respond appropriately” to the “nuclear component” implicated.
The United Kingdom has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of spreading false information about its decision to dispatch depleted uranium-containing tank shells to Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) says such elements are “standard” for armor-piercing ammunition and not nuclear weapons.
Mr. Putin condemned the plan to send such shells to Ukraine, citing a “nuclear component,” and warned he would retaliate with a statement that was highly extraordinary for him on Monday night.
“If all of this occurs, Russia will have to respond accordingly, given that the West is already beginning to use nuclear weapons collectively,” the president said during a summit with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping.
Russia, a nuclear power, has repeatedly employed nuclear saber-rattling to discourage Western support for Ukraine.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian minister of defense, asserted that the British decision on projectiles reduced the distance between a potential “nuclear collision” between Russia and the West.
“Another step has been taken, and fewer and fewer remain,” he told reporters, as reported by domestic news outlets.
In a written response to a parliamentary query, a British defense minister made remarks that were cited by the Kremlin.
Baroness Annabel Goldie, minister of state for defense, stated that some of the ammunition for the Challenger 2 battle tanks that the United Kingdom is sending to Ukraine contains armor-piercing projectiles containing depleted uranium.
Due to its density and other qualities, this material can easily penetrate armor, making it useful in weapons.
In a statement issued after Moscow’s incendiary remarks, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense clarified the situation further.
“In addition to providing Ukraine with a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks, we will also provide ammunition. Including armor-piercing shells containing depleted uranium. These projectiles are extremely effective against modern tanks and armored vehicles, according to the spokesperson.
“For decades, the British Army has utilized depleted uranium in its armor-piercing projectiles. It is a standard component unrelated to nuclear weapons or capabilities. Russia is aware of this but is attempting to conceal it.
Independent research by scientists from organizations such as the Royal Society has concluded that the use of depleted uranium munitions is likely to have minimal effects on human health and the environment.
The United Kingdom does not view depleted uranium ammunition as a nuclear capability. Russia also employs ammunition containing depleted uranium.
Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former army officer, dismissed the Russian president’s remarks as “absolutely ludicrous” and “entirely incorrect.”
He stated that it was “without a doubt to persuade President Xi to give him weapons and to terrify people in the West into believing that he intends to escalate to nuclear weapons.”
Colonel de Bretton-Gordon stated that depleted uranium “cannot be used as nuclear fuel or transformed into nuclear weapons.” Since the beginning of the conflict, Putin has used the nuclear escalation card to keep NATO out. But it has not worked.
