London wants to help Ukraine with the delivery of uranium ammunition.
Kremlin chiefs Putin and Shoigu warn of this and threaten an escalation.
LONDON – The announced delivery of uranium ammunition for Kiev could further aggravate the situation in the Ukraine war.
The Russian Embassy in the UK warned London about such a delivery.
According to Russian diplomats, this step carries the risk of a further escalation of the conflict.
Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin and Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also expressed their anger and threatened the West with consequences.
"I would like to note that if all of this happens, Russia will be forced to respond accordingly," Putin said after his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Uranium ammunition for Ukraine?
Putin and Shoigu are threatening the consequences
"It seems that the West has really decided to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian, no longer with words but with deeds," the Russian news agency
Interfax
quoted the Kremlin chief as saying.
Putin pointed out that he was briefed on Britain's plans during his talks with Xi Jinping.
Shoigu stated that Russia must react to possible deliveries of depleted uranium shells to Ukraine.
"There is only one thing we can say here: there are not many steps left, one more step has been taken, there are fewer and fewer left," he told reporters.
On Monday, the British government announced that it would also supply ammunition to Ukraine in addition to the tanks it had already promised.
This includes armor-piercing ammunition made from depleted uranium, Defense Secretary Annabel Goldie said in a response to a question in the House of Lords.
"Such shells are very effective in defeating modern tanks and armored vehicles," Goldie pointed out.
After the announced delivery of uranium ammunition, the Kremlin spread false information
Putin claimed they were "weapons with a nuclear component."
According to the
Institute Study of War (ISW)
think tank, Putin deliberately misrepresented the Western supply of uranium munitions to Ukraine as a significant escalation to take responsibility for negotiations.
Shoigu agrees with the Kremlin boss and warns of health consequences if uranium ammunition is used.
NATO has already used such ammunition "during the events in Kosovo and Serbia," he said in an interview with the state TV channel
Rossiya-1
.
A subsequent investigation into their deployment revealed that the health of the soldiers who deployed them had been seriously damaged.
“That had consequences.
There were consequences for the health of those using these munitions.”
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Uranium ammunition for Kiev: Britain rejects Kremlin allegations
London has accused the Kremlin of spreading misinformation in connection with Russian allegations about the planned delivery of ammunition containing uranium to Ukraine.
The British Army has been using depleted uranium in its armor-piercing shells for decades, a spokesman for the British Ministry of Defense said in a recent statement.
"This is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons or abilities.
Russia knows this but is deliberately trying to spread disinformation,” the spokesman continued.
Britain has so far given Ukraine military aid worth £2.3 billion.
In particular, London supplied over 10,000 anti-tank missile systems, more than 200 armored vehicles, M270 multiple missiles and Brimstone precision missiles.
In addition, British instructors trained over 10,000 Ukrainian military personnel.
London has also announced further aid for Ukraine for 2023.
(bohy)
