Russia slams ‘inhumanity’ of US decision to send depleted uranium rounds to Ukraine

Russia has denounced the US decision to provide Ukraine with depleted uranium ammunition as a clear sign of “inhumanity”, stressing that the indiscriminate ammunition is not only a threat to the Ukrainians, but to whole generations.

The US “administration’s decision to supply weapons with depleted uranium is an indicator of inhumanity,” said Russia’s embassy in Washington on Wednesday.

The remarks came on the heels of a statement by the Pentagon, which announced that it would send, for the first time, controversial armor-piercing munitions containing depleted uranium for US-made Abrams tanks in Ukraine, saying that such ammunition would be part of a fresh military package worth up to $175 million.

The M1 Abrams tanks, a third-generation American main battle tank, are due to be delivered to Ukraine later this year.

The package also includes anti-tank missiles, artillery and mortar rounds, tactical air navigation systems, and additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.

“Clearly, with its idea of inflicting a ‘strategic defeat’, Washington is prepared to fight not only to the last Ukrainian but also to do away with entire generations,” the embassy further said, adding, “The US is deliberately transferring weapons with indiscriminate effects.”

The US promise of providing Kiev with depleted uranium rounds, despite global concerns about serious health problems caused by such ammunition, comes about two months after Washington said it would provide internationally-banned cluster munitions to the ex-Soviet republic.

“It is fully aware of the consequences: explosions of such munitions result in the formation of a moving radioactive cloud. Small particles of uranium settle in the respiratory tract, lungs, esophagus, accumulate in kidneys and liver, cause cancer and lead to the inhibition of the whole organism’s functions,” the Russian embassy warned.

“The US Administration, in turn, reveals its true colors: it is deeply indifferent to both the present of Ukraine and the future of the republic and its European neighbors,” it added.

The US aid also includes over $665 million in new military and civilian security assistance and millions of dollars in support for Ukraine's air defenses and other areas.

US to provide controversial depleted uranium weapons to Ukraine

The United States says it is sending depleted uranium ammunition to Kiev, despite global concerns about serious health problems caused by such ammunition.

The development came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kiev for a two-day visit amid Ukraine's grinding counteroffensive against Russian forces.

Washington on August 29 announced $250 million in fresh military aid to Ukraine, naming the components as equipment for clearing mines and obstacles as well as missiles, artillery rounds, anti-armor missiles, and more than three million rounds of small arms ammunition.

Kiev has already received more than $43 billion from the US in the form of weapons systems like howitzers and millions of rounds of ammunition, including widely-banned cluster munitions, since last February when Russia started a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly warned that a continued supply of Western arms and military equipment for the Ukrainian military would only prolong the war.

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