The United States will send depleted uranium ammunition for Abrams tanks in Ukraine

USA announced this Wednesday a new aid package for Ukraine valued at 175 million dollars and which for the first time includes ammunition with uranium depleted for tanks.

This ammunition is destined for the Abrams tanksdetailed the Pentagon in a statement adding that there will also be materiel to support the Ukrainian air defense system and additional ammunition for HIMARS missile launcher.

LOOK HERE: Maxim Kuzminov, the Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine in his military helicopter and how he planned his daring operation for months

The use of projectiles with depleted uraniumwhich have greater armor-piercing capabilities, has long been a controversial topic due to its potential health and environmental impacts.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirbypointed out in a press conference that with the package of this Wednesday Washington this “very focused” in helping Ukraine to succeed in the counteroffensive against Russia.

Depleted uranium munitions, he added, are “heavier” than normal artillery and “very effectiveagainst the armored.

“We want to make sure that the Ukrainians can be as effective as possible in this counteroffensive and we believe that the DU ammunition will help them to be.”, Kirby stressed in that intervention.

The spokesman for National Security Council pointed out that “many armies use depleted uranium ammunition, not only USA”:“I would add that also Russia”.

“There is no big controversy here except the one that Russia is trying to create. (…) It is an effective ammunition on the battlefield and does not pose a radioactive threat to peopleKirby maintained.

MORE INFORMATION: War in Ukraine: at least 17 dead in a Russian attack on a Kostiantinivka market

Already in March, after the United Kingdom admit plans for the supply to kyiv of depleted uranium ammunitionRussia warned of the risk of radioactive pollution and was warned that Moscow it would be forced to react if Ukraine used such weapons.

The Pentagon said in its statement that the package announced this Wednesday is number 46 that the Administration of Joe Biden supplies Ukraine from inventories of the Defense Department since August 2021.

“The United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield and longer-term security needs.”, was concluded from Washington.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.