Depleted Uranium Aid Package: US Support to Ukraine Sparks Controversy

The US says it will deliver depleted uranium to Ukraine as part of a new package of equipment to help Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The new aid package to Ukraine is worth more than $1 billion and includes, among other things, more air defenses, artillery shells, anti-tank weapons and other equipment.

The aid package was announced on the occasion of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited McDonald’s in Kyiv on Wednesday this week.

Photo: Reuters

This arouses strong reactions from Russia.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday that the US supply of depleted uranium to Ukraine was “a criminal act”. This according to the state news agency RIA.

The Russian embassy in Washington has also reacted. On the messaging service Telegram, they call the act “inhumane”, and write further:

– It appears obvious that Washington, with this idea of ​​inflicting a “strategic defeat”, is prepared to fight not only to the last Ukrainian, but also to end entire generations.

Russia also has access to depleted uranium, but it is uncertain whether they have used it in the war against Ukraine so far.

Among other things, it is the American Abrams tanks, which the USA has promised to deliver to Ukraine, which will be equipped with the controversial ammunition.

In addition, depleted uranium is to be used in the tank “Challenger 2”, given to Ukraine from Great Britain.

The ammunition with depleted uranium is intended, among other things, for the “M1 Abrams” tanks, which the US will deliver to Ukraine.

Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP

May be carcinogenic

Depleted uranium is controversial for several reasons.

Almost all radiation from depleted uranium is alpha rays. These are easily stopped, but can be harmful to health if you get the substance into the body, according to Great Norwegian Lexicon.

When such ammunition hits the target, much of the uranium is converted into dust that catches fire. Crews on board armored vehicles are killed by shrapnel and burn injuries.

Tom Røseth, Associate Professor at the Staff School of the Armed Forces, says depleted uranium is very effective for penetrating tanks.

– After it has been used, it is mainly a chemical poison, and not a radioactive substance. It can lead to serious damage to the kidneys and other vital organs, says Røseth.

Especially those who use the weapon must be careful, says Røseth.

– It can have negative consequences if you don’t wear gloves and take your precautions.

Tom Røseth is an associate professor at the Norwegian Defense Staff School. He is aware that using depleted uranium can have major consequences.

Photo: Trygve Heide

For the environment at the battlefield, it can cause environmental damage if there are concentrated amounts in an area, continues Røseth.

– It can lead to burdens on the civilian population, but the studies on this are a bit sketchy.

A study published in a Harvard journal in 2021 established that depleted uranium is carcinogenic.

Røseth, on the other hand, points out that this study has some caveats due to insufficient data.

However, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the use of such ammunition in Kosovo in 2001 states that no such connection has been demonstrated, and that it is largely soldiers and not the civilian population who are possibly affected.

Used in war earlier

Great powers such as the USA, Great Britain and Russia are among the countries with access to depleted uranium. This is because they conduct nuclear production.

Depleted uranium is a residual product of this production.

Depleted uranium projectiles were used in war for the first time in the Gulf War and have subsequently been used in a number of other wars.

After the Iraq war, the clean-up job went on for several years, after the US military used armor-piercing shells with depleted uranium in Iraq both in 1991 and in 2003.

– The weapon worked very well against tanks in Iraq, and it will certainly do the same in Ukraine, says Røseth.

Røseth says the war is in a phase where Ukraine needs large quantities of ammunition.

– It is a form of strategic communication towards Russia by equipping them with a very effective type of ammunition now, concludes Røseth.

2023-09-07 07:26:11
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