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Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev. Photo/sputnik
MOSCOW – The destruction of depleted uranium shells in Ukraine has generated a radioactive cloud that has blown into Western Europe, according to Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev.
Britain has supplied this type of ammunition to Ukraine to be fired from British-built Challenger tanks.
The senior official disclosed the claimed threat during a government meeting on Friday, where he accused the US of manipulating its allies to provide “aid” to other countries resulting in harm to the recipients.
“They are ‘helping’ Ukraine in this way too, putting pressure on its satellites to supply depleted uranium munitions. Their destruction caused a radioactive cloud to move towards Western Europe. They have detected increased radiation in Poland,” said Patrushev.
Unconfirmed reports have been circulating in Ukraine regarding the targets of a Russian strike last Saturday, which Moscow said destroyed an ammunition depot in the town of Khmelnitsky.
According to claims, the military facility was used to store depleted uranium shells provided by the UK.
It has been suggested that the material may have turned to dust as a result of the massive explosion at the depot.
Russia has previously warned that use of depleted uranium munitions poses a long-term environmental and public health threat, based on studies in countries such as Serbia and Iraq, where the weapons have previously been used. London has denied such a risk.
Although mildly radioactive, depleted uranium is primarily considered a health risk because it is a toxic heavy metal.
