Russia has reacted furiously to the UK over the tank ammunition that the British have sent to Ukraine. It would be armor-piercing shells containing depleted uranium. Putin even speaks of nuclear escalation.
But Putin is far from right, thinks defense specialist Peter Wijninga of the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague. “Putin is just framing,” concludes Wijninga. “Depleted uranium has a radioactive level that has been reduced to such an extent that it is not harmful to humans.”
Radiation
Indeed, the radiation from depleted uranium would dwarf the background radiation that is everywhere, he thinks. “But it’s rock hard, so it’s used to pierce the armor of tanks and armored vehicles. It is very suitable for this.’
While the radioactivity isn’t dangerous, Wijninga points out that it is indeed a toxic substance. Breathing in depleted uranium is still life-threatening, “although the person using it probably won’t suffer much,” he continues. “And neither is the person affected by it.”
Known
Wijninga is also surprised by the way Putin reacts. According to him, Putin could have known for a long time that this type of ammunition was on the way, because it belongs to the British Challenger tanks. Wijninga thinks Putin was “just looking for a moment” to once again unleash his rhetoric on the West and his supporters. “To his own supporters now it’s mainly ‘we won’t let people trample us’, while he’s trying to sow division in the West.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
