Britain Signals Plan to Provide Depleted Uranium Shells to Ukraine
Britain has indicated it will supply depleted uranium shells as part of a broader package to Ukraine, according to Deputy Secretary of Defense Annabelle Goldie in response to a request from Baron Hilton, a member of the House of Lords.
The government reportedly stated that Ukraine will receive a fleet of Challenger 2 battle tanks along with ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds that contain depleted uranium. Hilton had asked whether the ammunition sent to Kiev includes depleted uranium.
In discussion of the topic, retired colonel and military analyst Viktor Litovkin, speaking with Lenta.ru, warned that employing depleted uranium munitions could result in radioactive soil contamination and a rise in cancer risk among nearby populations. He cautioned, saying that while this is not a nuclear conflict, the use of such rounds would cause serious harm to people and the environment. He compared the potential impact to past actions by the United States in Yugoslavia, noting ongoing health issues such as leukemia and cancer among affected populations.
Litovkin argued that Ukraine might use these shells to target the DPR, LPR, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, and that they would not reach Central Russia. He also stressed that Moscow does not deploy depleted uranium ammunition in its military operations. He added that the aim is to defend civilians while avoiding damage to housing or noncombatants.
Depleted uranium is more than 99% uranium-238. It is a byproduct of refining uranium isotopes used in nuclear energy and weapons production. Notably, depleted uranium is less radioactive than natural uranium ore, with a long half-life of about 4.5 billion years. Nevertheless, its particular density gives it extraordinary penetration power, making it useful for armor-piercing munitions. The material’s density is roughly 2.5 times that of iron, placing it near the heavy end of the periodic table, close to osmium and iridium in mass. This property helps create shells with strong armor-piercing capability and significant effects behind barriers.
Across several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, France, and Israel, depleted uranium cores have been used in armor-piercing ammunition for tanks and other weapon systems. The United States has deployed such rounds in various past conflicts and has indicated plans to supply additional rounds to Ukrainian forces. Historical use includes major campaigns in the Persian Gulf War, the conflicts in Bosnia and the bombing of Yugoslavia, followed by other 21st-century operations.
There is no universal consensus on the consequences of using depleted uranium ammunition. As a relatively recent class of weaponry, there is no binding UN treaty that directly prohibits or restricts its deployment. The 1980 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material classifies depleted uranium as Category II nuclear material, subject to strict storage and transport rules. Opinions among experts vary about environmental and health risks. Some contend that even low radioactivity can lead to soil contamination and hereditary health issues, while others in the UK, the US, and among NATO partners deem these concerns unproven.
In January 2023, RBC spoke with multiple experts who noted that comparing depleted uranium ordnance to a dirty bomb is not accurate because the radiological background is comparatively low. One independent expert, Alexander Khramchikhin, remarked that while depleted uranium rounds are highly toxic and carcinogenic, their danger manifests differently than a pure radiological weapon. Vasily Kashin, director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics, described depleted uranium projectiles as a subspecies of radioactive weapons for legal and regulatory purposes.
As the debate continues, observers emphasize the need for transparent information about the types of ammunition supplied and the potential consequences for civilians and ecosystems. The conversation underscores the broader questions about balancing military aid with long-term environmental and public health considerations, especially in the context of ongoing regional tensions and humanitarian concerns. These discussions reflect a broader international interest in the safety implications of armor-piercing rounds and how nations assess risk during rapid security commitments.
Attributions: content draws on statements reported by government sources and expert commentary from Lenta.ru and RBC attribution notes.