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'Radioactive cloud' from destroyed depleted uranium shells threatening Europe: Russia

Friday, 19 May 2023 3:35 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 19 May 2023 6:06 PM ]

A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, including its Unit No. 6, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict outside the city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine. (Photo by Reuters)

Russian security chief has warned of a "radioactive cloud" engulfing Europe, referring to the destruction of depleted uranium shells in Ukraine.

Speaking in a government meeting on Friday, Nikolay Patrushev, the secretary of the Russian Security Council, warned that the destruction of depleted uranium shells in Ukraine produced a radioactive cloud that moved toward Europe. The destruction was reportedly made by the British-made Challenger tanks, which were supplied to Ukraine by the UK government.

The Russian official revealed the purported threat, accusing the US of manipulating its allies to provide “help” to other nations that result in harm being done to the recipients.

“They ‘helped’ Ukraine this way too, applied pressure to its satellites to supply depleted uranium munitions. Their destruction resulted in a radioactive cloud moving toward Western Europe. They have detected an increase in radiation in Poland,” Patrushev stated.

The alleged radioactive cloud has reportedly been detected with an increase in radiation levels observed in Poland.

Russia has previously warned that the use of depleted uranium munitions poses a long-term environmental and public health threat, based on studies conducted in countries such as Serbia and Iraq, where the weapons were previously used. London has rejected such a threat.

While depleted uranium is mildly radioactive, it is considered a health hazard mainly because it is a toxic heavy metal. Uranium particles or uranium oxides produced in an explosion can be inhaled by anyone exposed to them or contaminate the environment.

Ukraine's use of depleted uranium shells would harm population for decades: Russia

Russia warns the Ukrainian forces

Previously Russia’s defense ministry said that the Ukrainians' use of depleted uranium shells against Russian forces in Ukraine would not only harm the troops but also harm the wider population and negatively affect the country’s agriculture sector for decades or even centuries.

The warning comes after Britain announced its plan to send shells containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.

Britain’s Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told Parliament the government already started shipments of depleted-uranium (DU) munitions to Ukraine.

The minister said the weapons “are now under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).” The UK Defense Ministry, he said, “does not monitor the locations from where DU rounds are fired by the AFU in Ukraine.”

In March, British and American advisers oversaw special training for Ukrainian troops on the DU rounds.

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