Depleted Uranium Munitions, Tank Warfare, and Civilian Risk in Ukraine

Depleted uranium projectiles are designed to pierce heavy armor in tank warfare, and there is a concern that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could also employ them to strike civilian targets. This claim comes from an interview with the newspaper Vzglyad, featuring military expert Alexei Leonkov, who analyzes how such ammunition is viewed and used in modern conflict scenarios. He notes that these shells are optimized for armoured engagements on the battlefield, capable of breaching thick armor with high kinetic energy, yet he emphasizes that their deployment beyond military targets raises serious questions about the humanitarian impact and the legal implications of any such action in war zones. The discussion highlights how these weapons are perceived in the broader debate about escalation, deterrence, and the rules of engagement that govern armed conflict in Europe and beyond. The remarks also reflect the cautious tone of armed forces analysts who weigh the potential consequences of expanding the use of such munitions and the implications for civilian safety when conflicts spill over into non-military areas.