Russia has branded U.S. plans to send depleted uranium tank shells to Ukraine a “criminal act,” warning of its “very sad” consequences.
The depleted uranium rounds are being supplied Ukraine along with the Abrams tanks.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov made the comment following an announcement by the Pentagon that the armour-piercing rounds would form part of a new $175m military aid package.
Russian Embassy in Washington DC said in a statement on Thursday:”The administration’s decision to supply weapons with depleted uranium is an indicator of inhumanity.
“Clearly, with its idea of inflicting a ‘strategic defeat’ [on Russia], Washington is prepared to fight not only to the last Ukrainian but also to do away with entire generations.”
It will the first time the US shipped the ammunition to Ukraine. The depleted uranium armour-piercing rounds were developed by the U.S. during the Cold War to destroy Soviet tanks, including the same T-72 tanks that Ukraine now faces in its counteroffensive.
Depleted uranium is natural uranium with the radioactive element stripped away.
It is incapable of generating a nuclear reaction, but it is extremely dense – more dense than lead – a quality that makes depleted uranium highly attractive as a projectile.
When used in warheads it sharpens on impact and also ignites, making it very effective at armour piercing.
The US had originally advised that it would not be sending this ammunition to Ukraine, but following the UK sending depleted uranium rounds for use with British Challenger II tanks, the US appears to have reversed its decision to maximise the effectiveness of the Abrams tanks.