The Russian Ministry of Defense warned that Britain’s plan to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium ammunition could have lasting negative effects on the Ukrainian armed forces, the civilian population, and agricultural land.
They referenced a statement by Britain’s Deputy Defense Minister Annabelle Goldie, who had said London would deliver armor-piercing sub-caliber rounds to Kiev alongside Challenger 2 tanks.
Goldie responded to a question from a House of Lords member, Raymond Jolliff, about whether any supplied munitions contained depleted uranium, saying that in addition to tanks, ammunition including depleted uranium armor-piercing shells would be provided.
British officials claim that depleted uranium enhances the effectiveness of armor-preaking munitions. They describe depleted uranium as a standard component in these shells.
Igor Kirillov, head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection troops of the Russian Armed Forces, asserted that there are documents showing that NATO members are aware of the dangerous consequences of using such ammunition for people and the environment.
“The West knows the negative consequences of depleted uranium munitions,” Kirillov said during a briefing.
He warned that Ukrainian territory could face contamination in key areas and that vehicles might emit radioactive substances into surrounding regions. He also warned about potential damage to Ukraine’s agro-industrial complex.
Properties of depleted uranium
The Russian Defense Ministry described armor-piercing sub-caliber ammunition as artillery shells with an active part narrower than the weapon’s bore, designed to strike tanks and armored vehicles at close range.
“Depleted uranium is used in these rounds because of its high density, which delivers a strong armor-piercing effect,” Kirillov explained. “When the armor is struck, the soft metal core shatters and transfers energy to the armor-piercing core.”
He noted that tungsten alloys have similar properties, but ammunition made from them is far more expensive to produce.
“Producing depleted uranium ammunition is more common in countries with uranium reserves and processing capabilities, and it is often deployed on foreign soil without considering environmental consequences,” Kirillov said. He also noted that NATO has used this ammunition in past conflicts, with the United States deploying it in Iraq in 2003–2004.
The military official also spoke about the possible health and environmental risks. He warned of radiation hazards if depleted uranium enters the body in powder form, and said a mobile hot cloud of fine uranium-238 aerosols can form after impact, potentially causing serious health issues when inhaled or ingested.
Kirillov mentioned that alpha radiation from small uranium particles deposited in the respiratory tract, lungs, and esophagus can lead to malignant tumors. He cited a British Royal Society report from 2001 linking depleted uranium to health risks, including a concern about lung cancer linked to its use.
The reaction of the Russian authorities
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the possible supply of shells containing depleted uranium.
“It seems the West has chosen to confront Russia by fighting through Ukraine, and they will have to answer for it,” he stated.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia had something to respond to this decision, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argued that such a move would amount to a violation of international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, the United States argued that Russia had exaggerated the threat from depleted uranium shells. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House, said Moscow was using the issue as a scare tactic and that these rounds have been in use for decades due to their armor-piercing capabilities. He emphasized that they are not radioactive and are not nuclear weapons.
He added that if Russia is concerned about its tanks, it should move them across the border and out of Ukraine, noting they were not welcome there in the first place.
At the same time, the Pentagon stated that the United States had not supplied Ukraine with such ammunition.
The British Ministry of Defense reaffirmed that depleted uranium has been used in armor-piercing projectiles for decades and is a standard component not connected to nuclear weapons or capabilities. Russia has been accused of spreading misinformation about the weapons.
Depleted uranium is a byproduct of enriching natural uranium for nuclear fuel or weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency notes that depleted uranium is about 60 percent less radioactive than natural uranium. It is used not only in ammunition but also as ballast in aircraft and ships. [Citation: International Atomic Energy Agency briefing, 2024]