[News Terms] US to Send 'Depleted Uranium Ammunition' to Ukraine

'Depleted uranium (DU) ammunition' is a tank shell made using depleted uranium, which is produced during the enrichment process of uranium for nuclear weapons or reactors.

It is made by reprocessing uranium waste used in nuclear power generation, and is also called 'depleted uranium ammunition' or 'diminished uranium ammunition,' reflecting the use of uranium material with reduced radioactivity.

On March 7th (local time), Ukrainian soldiers fired self-propelled howitzers toward Russian positions near Bakhmut, a fierce battleground in eastern Donetsk Oblast.
[Photo by Donetsk AP/ Yonhap News]

Depleted uranium is the material left after increasing the concentration of uranium-235 for use in nuclear power generation, and it is 1.7 times heavier in weight (density) than lead. Because of this, bullets of the same weight can be made smaller to reduce air resistance, resulting in higher bullet velocity and longer range. Additionally, its high density gives it 2.5 times greater penetration power than armor-piercing shells, making it mainly used for anti-tank purposes.

Some NATO member countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, possess depleted uranium weapons. A single 120mm tank shell contains about 4 kg of depleted uranium. Although its radioactivity is relatively low, it contains uranium-235, which can cause fatal radiation exposure to humans and raises concerns about environmental pollution, making it a controversial weapon.

It is known to have been developed in the mid-1980s in the United States and first used during the 1991 Gulf War. It was also used during the 1998 Kosovo crisis, which sparked international controversy.

The US daily Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 13th (local time) that the United States appears likely to approve the provision of depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine after intense debate. Citing US officials, WSJ said the US government has been discussing for weeks how to arm the Abrams tanks to be provided to Ukraine and has ultimately decided to send depleted uranium ammunition.

Prior to the US, the United Kingdom provided its main battle tank, the Challenger 2, to Ukraine in March, along with depleted uranium ammunition. At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that "the West is hastening a nuclear catastrophe." Regarding the recent US support review report, President Putin said at a press conference with Russian journalists, "We also have a lot of depleted uranium ammunition," adding, "If they use it, we have the right to use it as well."