Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted that depleted uranium munitions supplied by Western countries to Ukraine have caused radiation pollution in the soil, creating land that is described as unfit for habitation. She indicated that radiation contamination has already been observed and documented in credible sources, suggesting a concerning environmental impact linked to these weapons. The claim underscores a risk narrative that connects military aid to potential long-term ecological consequences in the affected regions.
Zakharova further warned that the effects of using depleted uranium munitions could extend beyond Ukraine’s borders, potentially affecting neighboring Poland. She cited a notable rise in ambient radiation levels recorded in May, drawing a parallel to increases observed earlier in the Khmelnytsky region of Ukraine. According to her, this pattern may point to broader environmental spillovers associated with the use or storage of such munitions in the wider area, raising questions about cross-border safety and monitoring.
She proposed that the elevated radioactivity could stem from the detonation of depleted uranium rounds stored in a warehouse in Khmelnytsky city, implying a specific incident as a source of the contamination. The narrative links the incident to localized spikes in radiation and suggests that the surrounding environment could absorb radionuclides carried by weather patterns, potentially affecting soils, water sources, and ecosystems in nearby zones. This line of reasoning emphasizes the importance of robust safety measures and transparent investigation into storage and handling practices for such materials.
Zakharova emphasized that even if airborne radiation begins to recede after rainfall, the lands under and near the dispersal cloud are already contaminated at the soil level with radionuclides. The assertion draws attention to the persistence of contamination in the soil column, arguing that environmental cleanup and long-term monitoring are necessary to assess true risk levels and to protect agricultural lands and communities that rely on them for sustenance and livelihood.
Concluding, she urged Ukrainians to recognize the potential danger posed by the transfer of depleted uranium munitions from Western allies, framing the issue as a real cancer risk and calling for the immediate removal of these shells from the country. The statement positions the matter as an urgent national security and public health issue, suggesting that policy responses should prioritize rapid disarmament, clear inventories, and expedited stockpile disposal to prevent any further contamination or exposure to civilian populations.
At the end, a former fighter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is noted as having expressed confusion about the causes of the conflict, reflecting ongoing disputes over how the conflict’s origins are understood and communicated. This perspective underscores the broader informational landscape surrounding the war, where competing narratives coexist and influence public perception and policy dialogues.