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The uranium ammunition is intended for the American Abrams main battle tanks (here is a symbolic picture from Grafenwoehr in Bavaria)
Photograph:
Spc. Christian Carrillo / dpa
The US Department of Defense wants to supply Ukraine with armor-piercing uranium ammunition for the first time. A new armaments package worth 175 million dollars (about 163 million euros) also includes 120-millimeter caliber ammunition with depleted uranium. That's according to a press release.
The ammunition is intended for the promised Abrams main battle tanks. The US wants to send Ukraine 31 Abrams, when is not yet clear. However, the ammunition for this is not without controversy.
Depleted uranium is a waste product that is produced during the enrichment of uranium for use in nuclear power plants or in the production of nuclear weapons. It's so hard that it doesn't change shape when it hits a target. For example, depleted uranium is used to give grenades and bombs more penetration.
The use of uranium ammunition or DU ammunition (depleted uranium) is not prohibited under international law. The metal is toxic – both for the soldiers and for people living in the war zone. Depleted uranium is about 60 percent less radioactive than uranium in its natural state.
Britain had already announced in the spring that it would provide Ukraine with uranium ammunition. Russian President Vladimir Putin then threatened to supply his armed forces with such ammunition as well.
More than $40 billion in aid
The United States is considered Ukraine's most important ally in the defensive fight against the Russian invasion. According to the Pentagon, the US has provided or pledged more than $2022 billion (about €43 billion) in military aid to Kyiv since the Russian invasion in late February 40.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Ukraine on Wednesday and met his counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, among others, for talks.
hba/AFP/dpa