The United States sends the first depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine
A document seen by Reuters, the contents of which were separately confirmed by two US officials, indicates that the administration of President Joe Biden will for the first time send armor-piercing munitions containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.
Missiles of this type can help destroy Russian tanks, and are part of a new military aid package for Kiev to be unveiled next week.
The ammunition can be fired from the American “Abrams” tanks, which an informed source said are expected to be delivered to Ukraine within weeks.
On Monday, a US official said the new aid package would be worth between $240 million and $375 million, depending on its content.
The two officials added that the value and content of the package had not yet been finally determined. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Although Britain sent shells containing depleted uranium earlier this year, this will be the first shipment of such shells sent by the United States and is likely to cause controversy. This comes in the wake of a previous decision by the Biden administration to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, despite fears of the impact of these weapons on civilians.
The use of depleted uranium bombs is highly controversial, as opponents, such as the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons, say that there are serious health risks from ingesting or inhaling depleted uranium dust, including cancer and birth defects.
Depleted uranium is a by-product of the uranium enrichment process and is used in missiles because its high density gives the missiles the ability to easily penetrate armor layers and self-ignite, raising a burning cloud of dust and metal.
The United States used depleted uranium in large quantities in 1990 and 2003 during the Gulf and Iraq wars, and during the NATO bombing of the former Yugoslavia in 1999.
(Reuters)
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2023-09-02 02:37:24
