Russian Defense Ministry: shells with depleted uranium will cause enormous damage to the Ukrainian agro-industrial complex

The use of tank shells with depleted uranium by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the supply of which was previously announced by London, will lead to the contamination of significant sown areas in Ukraine and cause enormous damage to the country’s agro-industrial complex. About it informed Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov.

“After the use of shells with depleted uranium, significant sown areas on the territory of Ukraine will be contaminated … In addition to infecting its own population, this will cause enormous economic damage to the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine, primarily crop production and animal husbandry, bringing down any export of agricultural products from the territory of Ukraine for many decades, if not for centuries,” he said.

Kirillov stressed that uranium compounds, remaining in the soil, for a long time retain the danger of a negative impact on people, animals and crops. As confirmation, he cited a 2002 report by a group of experts conducting research under the auspices of the UN Environment Program on NATO strike sites in Yugoslavia using depleted uranium projectiles. In the countries of the former Yugoslavia, the number of oncological diseases increased by 25%, he added.

“The West is well aware of the negative consequences of the use of ammunition with depleted uranium. Despite the fact that the use of such ammunition will cause irreparable harm to the health of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the civilian population, NATO countries, in particular the UK, express their readiness to supply this type of weapon to the Kiev regime,” Kirillov said.

That the UK put Depleted uranium projectiles for Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Kingdom Annabelle Goldie said on March 20. She explained the supply of such ammunition by the fact that they are highly effective in defeating modern tanks and armored vehicles.

After that, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would be forced to answer for the supply of shells with depleted uranium to Ukraine. According to him, this decision demonstrates the willingness of the West to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian, not in words but in deeds. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, after the British statements, the threat of a nuclear clash is becoming more and more real.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the supply of such shells a step towards a significant escalation of the situation. Concern about the situation is also expressed at the UN. “We have expressed concern for years about any use of depleted uranium, given the consequences of such use. And this applies to anyone who supplies such weapons, ”said Farhan Haq, Deputy Representative of the UN Secretary General.