-Galla S Kiran Kumar,Bureau Chief Telagana (Andhra Pradesh)
Radioactive weapons are now being used in the Russia-Ukraine war. It risks turning the tide of the war.
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The war between Russia and Ukraine is shaking the world. Both sides are prepared to use radioactive weapons. On one side, Russia has moved Isikander nuclear missiles to Belarus. On the other hand, Britain is ready to supply bullets made of depleted uranium to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin was on fire over this. Accused of supplying nuclear weapons to Ukraine. Britain has issued warnings that if these are provided to Ukraine, they will have to respond in their own style. If these weapons are used, radioactivity will spread to a few hundreds of kilometers and will take people’s lives. The air and water there will become toxic. Even if the explosions are less like dirty bombs, there is a risk that the people there will suffer the consequences for generations.
Asalemity Depleted Uranium..?
Uranium is used to make nuclear weapons. It is in the form of U-238. It contains only 0.72 percent U-235 uranium. It is only used in nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website states that crude uranium is extracted by refining it. The by-product of this process is called depleted uranium. It did not create nuclear fission. But, it is very powerful. Generally stronger than metals such as lead. This made it very suitable for making projectiles (bullets). Detonated depleted uranium makes a powerful weapon. This process also penetrates the strong metal armors fitted to the tanks. In addition, it is self-igniting when exposed to heat of a few hundred degrees centigrade. America started making armor piercing bullets with these since 1970. Apart from this, it is also used in the compounds used to make tank armor. This type of uranium is also used in the ammunition used by the A-10 aircraft known as tank killers. America is still making weapons with this type of uranium. M829A4 bullets used by M1A2 Abrams tanks are key among these.
America turned Iraq’s Fallujah into a second Chernobyl.
The Guardian reported in 2014 that nearly 10,000 rounds of Depleted Uranium (DU) bullets were used in the 2003 US war against Iraq. Dutch group Pax claims to have discovered this matter. It is said that DU bullets were used in many areas where people live. They were heavily used in Basra, Samawaha, Nasriya and Fallujah. This is in stark contrast to the US Air Force’s 1975 recommendation that DU bullets be used only on tanks and armored vehicles. Remnants of Dew bullets have been found in 300 locations in Iraq. It was estimated that it would cost at least 30 million dollars to clean them up. However, it is estimated that 3 lakh rounds of depleted uranium rounds were used in the Iraq war in 2003 and more than 7 lakh rounds were used in the 1991 war. While most of these were used by the US, the rest are believed to have been used by the coalition forces. Igor Kirlov, commander of Russia’s radiological, chemical and biological protection force, responded by accusing the US of using 300 tons of depleted uranium during the Iraq war. Fallujah city in Iraq is said to have more radiation than Hiroshima and Nagasaki due to this blow. He said that this city has become the second Chernobyl. In 2018, Al Arabiya magazine reported that the number of people with birth defects in Iraq had increased dramatically. And this situation is worse in Fallujah city. In 2018, Al Arabiya magazine reported that the number of people with birth defects in Iraq had increased dramatically. And this situation is worse in Fallujah city. In 2018, Al Arabiya magazine reported that the number of people with birth defects in Iraq had increased dramatically. And this situation is worse in Fallujah city.
Do any other countries in the world have this type of weapons?
America, France, Britain, Russia, China and Pakistan have made weapons with depleted uranium. These are not included in the category of nuclear weapons. Apart from these, 14 other countries also have such stockpiles.
Are these dangerous to use?
Although weapons made of depleted uranium are not included in the category of nuclear weapons, experts are raising objections to their use. It is said that a small level of radiation is spread when they are used. The people there are warned that there is a risk of getting infected with deadly diseases. Uranium is dangerous even if it enters the body. It damages the kidneys. It causes various types of cancer. According to the International Federation on Uranium Prohibition, even if a depleted uranium bullet misses and hits the ground, the land and water there will be contaminated.
They are not nuclear weapons.. we will not tolerate..!
British Foreign Minister James Claverley responded to the supply of DU bullets and said that they are not nuclear weapons. They want to understand that just because they have the name uranium, they are not nuclear weapons. They are said to be purely conventional weapons. Russia, on the other hand, was furious over this decision. President Putin said that if DU bullets are supplied, they will respond appropriately. I will not say how it is. Western countries are accused of using nuclear weapons.
