Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened on Tuesday to “retaliate” if London provides Ukraine with ammunition containing depleted uranium, in response to statements to this effect from a British official.
Today it became known that the UK announced not only the delivery of tanks to Ukraine, but also shells containing depleted uranium. If this happens , Russia will be forced to retaliate, Putin said.
“It seems that the West has really decided to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian, not in words, but in deeds. »
A Quote From Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
The collective West is starting to use weapons with nuclear components, he added. For Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russia has something to answer for. We’ll see what they plan to use, he said.
Another step has been taken in the escalation, he added.
On Monday evening, British Deputy Defense Minister Annabel Goldie said, in response to a written question from a British parliamentarian, that the United Kingdom intended to supply Ukraine with shells containing depleted uranium.
These ammunition are very effective in destroying modern tanks and armored vehicles, she pointed out in her written response. She explained that these shells were intended for use with the Challenger tanks that London also plans to deliver.
Decision Condemned in Great Britain
The British anti-nuclear organization Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has condemned the delivery of munitions with depleted uranium. She said in a statement on Tuesday that this would be an additional environmental and health disaster for those living in the heart of the conflict.
Depleted uranium shells are ammunition intended to pierce armor, the use of which is criticized for the risks they would entail for the health of the soldiers using them and the populations living in the targeted areas.
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), depleted uranium is a heavy metal, chemically and radiologically polluting.
Depleted uranium munitions had been cited as one of the possible causes of Gulf Syndrome, the health problems of Gulf War veterans in 1991, but this has not been scientifically proven.
This article is originally published on ici.radio-canada.ca