Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

UK instructs Kiev troops on depleted uranium ammo use: Declassified UK

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Declassified UK
  • 28 Mar 2023 21:36
  • 4 Shares
3 Min Read

The British Ministry of Defense published pictures online showing instructors teaching Ukrainian soldiers

  • x
  • Ukrainian tank crews look at a depleted uranium shell. (YouTube)
    Ukrainian tank crews look at a depleted uranium shell (YouTube)

The British Ministry of Defense published a video on Monday showing Ukrainian troops and British troops gathered around tables, with British instructors showcasing ammunitions of depleted uranium.

Ukrainian troops had just completed their training to operate tanks and other heavy armored vehicles. 

On March 21, the British government vowed to supply 14 of its 227 Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Kiev's forces along with ammunitions of depleted uranium to be used in combat. 

The MoD said in a statement that day that "any impact to personal health and the environment from the use of depleted uranium munitions is likely to be low."

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would be "forced to react accordingly" to the use of "weapons with a nuclear component."

On Saturday, Putin vowed to retaliate by moving 'tactical' nuclear weapons into Belarus.

The ammo seen in the documentary is marked as "inert", meaning that the instructors used replicas. Next to it are displayed blue and silver-colored training shells, an expert told Declassified.

Read more: UK depleted Uranium projectiles to Ukraine a new provocation: Moscow

According to Doug Weir from the Conflict and Environment Observatory, "The orange and black munition in the video appears to be an inert display version of the UK’s 120mm 'CHARM3' DU ammunition," noting that CHARM3 is a technical term to refer to the UK's depleted uranium shells. 

Related News

Ukrainian troops complete Challenger 2, AS90 tank training: UK MoD

UK MoD confirms completion of delivery of Challenger 2 tanks to Kiev

"When DU munitions hit hard targets such as tanks or armored vehicles, they fragment and burn, generating chemically toxic and radioactive DU particulate [microscopic particles] that pose an inhalational risk to people," he added.

"Managing DU contamination appropriately will be a further burden for Ukraine, in a conflict that has already generated serious pollution problems."

The worrisome part of this documentary is that a US troop appeared to be present at the training session.

As per the Declassified UK report, "the presence of an American soldier at the training session could escalate tensions further", particularly because Washington denied sending any of its own DU stocks to Ukraine last week.

  • A US army instructor was present at the ammunition briefing. (Screengrab: UK MoD)
    A US army instructor was present at the ammunition briefing. (Screengrab: UK MoD)

The MoD said in a statement on March 21 that depleted uranium "is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons."

This statement effectively implies that the government is overlooking the disastrous impacts of the ammunitions on the health of populations, as seen in Iraq and Libya where rates of cancer cases and birth defects spiked following US and NATO invasions. 

According to a researcher from the MoD-funded RUSI think tank Jack Watling, he confirmed to the Spectator yesterday that depleted uranium was toxic.

"But when Russian troops do come into contact with one of these projectiles, the fact that the uranium will be traveling at around 1,800 metres per second and burning up as it flies will be more concerning to any target than its radioactivity," he added.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace praised earlier today Ukrainian troops for having completed their training on British Challenger 2 tanks in the UK.

"They return to their homeland better equipped, but to no less danger. We will continue to stand by them and do all we can to support Ukraine for as long as it takes."

Read more: Europe may face cancer, birth defects if Kiev uses depleted uranium

  • Challenger 2
  • Depleted Uranium
  • UK
  • Radioactive waste
  • Ukraine

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS