Russia has threatened UK after the British government announced plans to deliver ammunition with depleted uranium (DU) to Ukraine.
On Tuesday, March 22 UK Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said that Challenger 2 battle tanks being sent from Britain to Ukraine include armour piercing rounds which contain DU.
‘Alongside our granting of a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, we will be providing ammunition including armour piercing rounds which contain depleted uranium.
‘Such rounds are highly effective in defeating modern tanks and armoured vehicles.’
DU shells were used by US and British troops in Iraq in 1991 and 2003, as well as in the Balkans during the 1990s.
It poses a health risk and can cause cancer especially when someone is around bomb impact sites, where dust can get into people’s lungs and vital organs.
According to Russia’s Defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, the move by UK would trigger a Russian response,
Shoigu told reporters: ‘Another step has been taken, and there are fewer and fewer left.
‘Naturally, Russia has something to answer this with.’
Asked by a reporter whether this meant that the world was closer to a nuclear collision, Shoigu replied: ‘It was not by chance that I told you about steps. There are fewer and fewer.’
The UK, one of Ukraine’s major aid donator, has responded to Russia’s warning