Depleted uranium

The Ministry of Defence confirms that armour-piercing shells for Ukraine contain depleted uranium, but add that this is "standard" and has been used for ...

Colonel de Bretton-Gordon said that depleted uranium "cannot be used as a nuclear fuel or turned into a nuclear weapon. The Ministry of Defence confirms that armour-piercing shells for Ukraine contain depleted uranium, but add that this is "standard" and has been used for decades. Such rounds are highly effective in defeating modern tanks and armoured vehicles," the spokesperson said. Russia knows this but is deliberately trying to disinform. He said it was "no doubt to persuade President Xi to give him weapons and to terrify people in the West that he is planning to escalate to nuclear weapons". [Ministry of Defence](https://news.sky.com/topic/ministry-of-defence-7264) (MoD) said such material is "standard" for rounds that have the ability to pierce through armour and that they have nothing to do with nuclear weapons.

The Russian leader said Moscow will 'respond accordingly' if the West supplies weapons 'with a nuclear component' to Ukraine.

It is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons or capabilities. “If that happens, Russia will respond accordingly, given that the collective West is starting to use weapons with a nuclear component.” [Vladimir Putin](/topic/vladimir-putin) of deliberate disinformation after he claimed the UK was supplying [Ukraine](/topic/ukraine) with “weapons with a nuclear component”.

Russia is "deliberately trying to disinform," said the UK Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned London against ...

I mean that the collective West is already starting to use weapons with a nuclear component,” he added. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, depleted uranium is used in ammunition designed to pierce armor plating because it becomes sharper on impact with a target. On Monday, the UK confirmed that it will send ammunition containing depleted uranium to Ukraine, a development which Putin referenced at a press conference on Tuesday.

The weapons are exceptionally good at breaking through armor but carry risks of long-term harm to civilians.

“Many prominent doctors and scientists contend that DU contamination is also connected to the recent emergence of diseases that were not previously seen in Iraq, such as new illnesses in the kidney, lungs, and liver, as well as total immune system collapse.” “Sending them into yet another war zone will not help the people of Ukraine.” Russia also claims to have DU rounds, though it remains unclear if the Kremlin has used them in Ukraine. DU is a remarkably hard substance, making it an effective material for rounds meant to break through the reinforced shells of armored vehicles and tanks. To date, Washington has Russian leaders quickly denounced the move as escalatory.

The Russian leader said Moscow will 'respond accordingly' if the West supplies weapons 'with a nuclear component' to Ukraine.

It is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons or capabilities. “If that happens, Russia will respond accordingly, given that the collective West is starting to use weapons with a nuclear component.” At a news conference alongside Mr Xi, the Russian leader pointed to British plans to the send the Ukrainians depleted uranium shells along with a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks.

UK will send Ukraine armour-piercing shells, containing depleted uranium, for use with its Challenger 2 battle tanks.

“Putin insinuating that they are some sort of nuclear weapon is bonkers,” de Bretton-Gordon told The Associated Press. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the plan showed that the UK “have lost the bearings”. There is no way that you could create a nuclear reaction or a nuclear explosion with depleted uranium.” “The United Kingdom… If this happens, Russia will be forced to react,” Putin told reporters after The ministry accused Russia of deliberate disinformation for describing the ammunition as “weapons with a nuclear component”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow would "respond accordingly" if Britain gives Ukraine military supplies, including armor-piercing ...

He said Putin is trying "to persuade Xi to give him weapons and to terrify people in the West that he is planning to escalate to nuclear weapons." The United Nations Environment Program has described depleted uranium as a "chemically and radiologically toxic heavy metal." "Putin has been using the nuclear escalation card since the beginning of the war to keep NATO out but it has not worked," de Bretton-Gordon told CBS News. "CND has repeatedly called for the U.K. She responded on Monday that "alongside our granting of a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, we will be providing ammunition including armour piercing rounds which contain depleted uranium." "I would like to note that if all this happens, then Russia will have to respond accordingly ...

The UK government is sending depleted uranium shells for use in the Challenger 2 tanks gifted to Ukraine, a move CND has condemned as an additional ...

CND has repeatedly called for the UK government to place an immediate moratorium on the use of depleted uranium weapons and to fund long-term studies into their health and environmental impacts. “Like in Iraq, the addition of depleted uranium ammunition into this conflict will only increase the long-term suffering of the civilians caught up in this conflict. It is used in armour piercing rounds as it is heavy and can easily penetrate steel.

Russia has accused the UK of increasing the chances of a "nuclear collision" by supplying Ukraine with armour-piercing depleted uranium tank shells.

There are some concerns DU could contaminate water or food supplies if it seeps into the soil in the wrong place over the years. Longer-term risks are possible from DU left behind in the soil on battlefields, for example. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has called on the British government to "introduce an immediate moratorium" on its use of ammunition using depleted uranium. Its main risk is chemical, rather than radioactive. "Independent research by scientists from groups such as the Royal Society has assessed that any impact to personal health and the environment from the use of depleted uranium munitions is likely to be low." Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the use of armour-piercing DU shells is "standard" in modern warfare. But it adds: "Nevertheless, the dose that could be delivered from handling of DU ammunitions is such that the exposure and handling time should be kept to a minimum and protective apparel (gloves) should be worn." "The British Army has used depleted uranium in its armour-piercing shells for decades. [Putin](https://news.sky.com/topic/vladimir-putin-5972) warned [Russia](https://news.sky.com/topic/russia-5803) would have to "respond accordingly", as he seized another chance to threaten a nuclear escalation in the [Ukraine war.](https://news.sky.com/topic/ukraine-6556) Depleted uranium (DU) is the material left behind after most of the highly radioactive form of uranium - known as U-235 - is removed from natural uranium ore. Russia has accused the UK of increasing the chances of a "nuclear collision" by supplying Ukraine with armour-piercing depleted uranium tank shells. While there are some chemical and radiation risks from the weaponry, the UK's Ministry of Defence has pushed back hard against Vladimir Putin's suggestion that depleted uranium tank shells for Ukraine risk a nuclear escalation in the conflict.

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday there was no nuclear escalation in the Ukraine war after Russian President Vladimir Putin ...

"Russia does not only have depleted uranium... There is no threat to Russia, this is purely about helping Ukraine defend itself," Cleverly said at the launch of Britain's international technology strategy. "We need to step back from this madness.

Depleted uranium is considerably less reactive than uranium in its natural form. After undergoing the enrichment process, it takes around a million years ...

Despite this, groups like the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has condemned the use of depleted uranium tank shells. The depleted uranium in contained within a steel armoured casing of the shell and is headed by an aluminum sabot. The enemy tank's plating is shattered and hot shards of armour disperse with the intention of killing those inside. Many countries, including Russia, the US and UK, have stockpiles of depleted uranium and use it for ammunition. As the shells contain radioactive material, the weaponry is incredibly hard and dense. The solid by-product is also used in many areas of normal life.

Moscow stepped up its onslaught on London after Vladimir Putin said he 'will have to respond properly since the collective West will be using weapons with a ...

The depleted uranium in contained within a steel armoured casing and is headed by an aluminum sabot. But depleted uranium can still cause serious radiation damage if it enters the body. The enemy tank's plating is shattered and hot shards of armour disperse with the intention of killing those inside. 'If this happens, Russia will be forced to respond accordingly, given that the West collectively is already beginning to use weapons with a nuclear component. Russia also made a joint statement with China yesterday following the meetings between leaders and officials in the Kremlin. Britain is providing to Kyiv with Challenger 2 battle tanks and depleted uranium shells. Despite this, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) still condemned the British decision to supply Kyiv with depleted uranium tank shells. It is around 60 percent as radioactive as natural uranium. When fired, the penetrator thrusts forward and the sabot is discarded mid-air. As the UK Ministry of Defence said, depleted uranium shells have little to do with nuclear weapons or capabilities - rather it is a by-product of the nuclear enriching process used to make nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons. 'Another step has been taken, and there are fewer and fewer left,' Shoigu said. There are fewer and fewer.'

A 2022 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report said depleted uranium was an environmental concern in Ukraine.

Genetic mutations brought on by radiation can potentially raise the risk of developing cancer. Extreme exposure quickly results in death and damages tissue. Several studies have claimed that there is no indication of risk, although their findings are still debatable. What is depleted uranium and is it radioactive? [Public Health ](https://www.standard.co.uk/topic/public-health-england)says depleted uranium is a dense metal produced as a by-product of enrichment of natural uranium for nuclear fuel. [Vladimir Putin](/topic/vladimir-putin) has said that [Russia](https://www.standard.co.uk/topic/russia) would be ["forced to react"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65032671), said, if the UK were to send depleted [uranium](/topic/uranium) shells to [Ukraine](/topic/ukraine).

The revelation that the UK is planning to send depleted uranium shells to Ukraine to be fired from Challenger tanks has prompted a strong response from Russia.

[pressure groups in the UK are ](https://cnduk.org/cnd-condemns-uk-decision-to-send-depleted-uranium-shells-to-ukraine/)campaigning for a ban. [send depleted uranium shells](https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-03-06/hl6144#) to Ukraine to be fired [from Challenger tanks ](https://inews.co.uk/news/rishi-sunak-british-tanks-ukraine-win-war-2084550?ico=in-line_link)has prompted a strong response from Russia. Washington has not commented on whether munitions supplied to Ukraine contain it. The density of the material makes it a more effective armour-piercing tool than alternatives such as tungsten. The substance is radioactive but to a lesser extent than natural or enriched uranium. [A 2008 UN investigation](https://unidir.org/sites/default/files/publication/pdfs//uranium-weapons-en-328.pdf) acknowledged that while depleted uranium weapons “can be toxic and radioactive, or can have incendiary or poisonous effects” they are not considered to “meet the legal definitions of nuclear, radiological, toxin, chemical, poison or incendiary weapons” so are unregulated by rules governing such weapons. [but later admitted](https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/02/14/the-united-states-used-depleted-uranium-in-syria/) to firing numerous depleted uranium munitions in Syria. Depleted uranium is a dense metal that is created as a by-product of the enrichment of uranium for nuclear fuel. [Foreign Secretary James Cleverly](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/the-nations-the-uk-wants-closer-ties-with-and-why-after-james-cleverly-said-britain-needs-more-allies-2023623?ico=in-line_link) said that “just because the word uranium is in the title of depleted uranium munitions, they are not nuclear munitions, they are purely conventional munitions”. [Doctors in Iraq](https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2013/3/15/iraq-wars-legacy-of-cancer) linked depleted uranium contamination to the surge in cancers, birth defects, lung, liver, and kidney diseases that occurred after [the US invasion.](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/bush-misled-iraq-20-years-2003-us-invasion-2217323?ico=in-line_link) The US government claims that “no human cancer of any type has ever been seen as a result of exposure to natural or depleted uranium”. But the use of depleted uranium has been a subject of controversy for decades, with concerns over its health and environmental impact, and questions over its legality.

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday (22 March) there was no nuclear escalation in the Ukraine war after Russian President Vladimir ...

There is no threat to Russia, this is purely about helping Ukraine defend itself,” Cleverly said at the launch of Britain’s international technology strategy. “Russia does not only have depleted uranium… The only country in the world that is talking about nuclear issues is Russia.