WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Biden administration plans to ship depleted uranium armor-piercing munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package, according to a document seen by Reuters and confirmed by two U.S. officials.
The rounds are capable of destroying Russian tanks and will be delivered to Ukraine alongside U.S. Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, according to a person familiar with the matter. The aid package, valued between $240 million and $375 million, is currently being finalized.
This marks the first U.S. shipment of depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine, following Britain’s previous delivery earlier this year. The decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine has already raised concerns over civilian hazards.
Opponents, such as the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons, argue that depleted uranium poses health risks including cancers and birth defects through ingestion or inhalation of its dust.
Depleted uranium, a by-product of uranium enrichment, is used in ammunition due to its high density and armor-penetrating capabilities. While it is radioactive, its activity is lower compared to naturally occurring uranium. However, particles can persist for a long time.
The United States extensively used depleted uranium munitions during the Gulf Wars in 1990 and 2003, as well as the NATO bombing of former Yugoslavia in 1999. The International Atomic Energy Agency states that studies indicate depleted uranium residues do not pose a radiological hazard to affected populations.
The presence of radioactive material will further complicate Ukraine’s ongoing post-war cleanup efforts, as the country already deals with unexploded ordnance and anti-personnel mines.
In June, it was reported that the U.S. was considering sending depleted uranium rounds to Ukraine. The full contents of the aid package, besides the munitions, remains undisclosed.
Funding authorization for the aid package falls under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, allowing the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during emergencies.
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with over $43 billion in security assistance.
(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Don Durfee and Rosalba O’Brien)
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