The Biden administration will for the first time send controversial armor-piercing munitions containing depleted uranium to Ukraine, according to a document seen by Reuters and separately confirmed by two U.S. officials.

The use of depleted uranium munitions has been fiercely debated, with opponents like the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons saying there are dangerous health risks from ingesting or inhaling depleted uranium dust, including cancers and birth defects.

  • @bonus_crab
    36•1 year ago

    Using depleted uranium rounds on your own territory seems bad. Especially since ukraine is a major exporter of grain.

    Then again , shooting a gun inside is stupid, until someone is breaking in and trying to kill you.

    • @SmoothOperator
      8•1 year ago

      According to the article, studies in places where the ammunition has been used “indicated that the existence of depleted uranium residues dispersed in the environment does not pose a radiological hazard to the population of the affected regions.”

      What effect does it have on the grain?

        • @WombleEnglish
          3•1 year ago

          Ok, but the alternative is lead or tungsten, both of which are similarly toxic. So unless you are suggesting Ukraine only fights with artisanaly grown wooden weapons I’m not sure what point you’re making.

        • @uberkalden
          0•1 year ago

          Did you completely ignore what he referenced in the article?

          • AnyOldName3
            11•1 year ago

            As well as being very mildly radioactive, depleted uranium is still a heavy metal, so can poison you in a similar way to lead. IIRC, that’s the most dangerous aspect of the material, and isn’t mentioned by the article.

            • @Ryumast3r
              1•1 year ago

              As opposed to the other bullets that are also heavy metals.

    • @pizzazz
      7•1 year ago

      Does not compute. Why should depleted uranium have any effect on grain production. Its strong radioactive components are, as the name says, depleted. The only worry is inhalation immediately following impact.

      I think there’s way too much misinformation about this and way too many people talking without a clue

    • @[email protected]
      3•1 year ago

      Then again, shooting a gun inside is stupid, until someone is breaking in and trying to kill you.

      Killing the opponent is the last resort in most developed countries.

    • @[email protected]
      1•1 year ago

      If there’s one country to trust with nuclear safety it’s actually Ukraine. Capable engineers and scientists, understanding of institutional failure, and certainly not least memory of Chernobyl.