Russian Tanks Can Escape Depleted Uranium Rounds by Leaving Ukraine: NSC

MSN-Newsweek ^ | 3----21 | David Brennan

[dennisw]

The U.S. National Security Council spokesman has suggested the best way for Moscow's tankers to avoid the British depleted uranium munitions being sent to Ukraine would be to retreat back across the border.

London announced on Monday that it would send depleted uranium tank rounds—which are particularly effective in piercing enemy armor—along with the Challenger 2 main battle tanks being provided for Kyiv's use. The news touched off a furious reaction in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin falsely equated the munitions to nuclear weapons.

NSC spokesman John Kirby on Wednesday dismissed the Kremlin's concerns about the depleted uranium munitions during a briefing with journalists.

"And if that's really the concern—if the Russians are very concerned about their tanks staying fully operational—they can just take them across the border back into Russia and take them out of Ukraine; they don't belong there in the first place. That would be my recommendation if they're concerned about threats to their tanks."

Depleted uranium rounds are 70 percent denser than lead, producing significantly more kinetic energy. On contact with armor, parts of the rounds sheer off and self-sharpen, making their passage more deadly to tankers inside armored vehicles. Smaller than lead alternatives with the same mass, depleted uranium rounds have less aerodynamic drag and can hit targets at longer ranges. They are also inherently incendiary.

"It's going to be a bad day for Russian tankers when they meet the depleted uranium munitions, because there's simply nothing they can do to defend themselves against those," Mark Voyger—a former special adviser for Russian and Eurasian affairs to ex-commanding general of U.S. Army Europe Ben Hodges—told Newsweek.

"No Russian tank, as far as I know, can withstand such a hit," Voyger—now a non-resident senior fellow at Center for European Analysis and professor at American University of Kyiv—added.

[central_va]

can't, it's still needed

Can, it is not needed. Fixed it.

[Petrosius]

I guess abiding by the Minsk Accords and apologizing for the 2014 coup never occurs aa an option.

Abiding by the Minsk Accords would mean that that Russia would withdraw all its forces and retreat to the border. And by the way, Ukraine did pass the law required by the accords to grant autonomy to Donbas. It was Russia, not Ukraine, that violated the accords. Of course, there would not have been any need for the accords if Russia had not invaded in 2014 in the first place. As for the so-called coup, that is Ukraine's problem and none of Russia's business. Additionally, Ukraine has had two national elections since then. Zelensky was elected by popular vote, not installed by a coup. Facts ignored by Russian apologists.

[alloysteel]

Depleted uranium has virtually no radioactivity, but because its specific gravity makes the element the most dense in measure of grams per cubic centimeter (19.07 g/cc, compared to lead, (11.35 g/cc), the kinetic impact it makes upon striking armor plate is far greater than that of lead or other combinations of alloys commonly used for projectile weaponry.

[tlozo]

Coup in Georgia.

Yup, the only possible reason for Georgians wanting to join the EU and have their standard of living must be because of some CIA "coup". Sure

[Antioch]

The only thing that would be “abandoned” are leftists designs on eastern Europe’s children. At this point in the decline, a new iron curtain closing off the lies and degeneracy of the west would be a good thing.

[canuck_conservative]

it's not any outsider's call to make

NATO is a voluntary organization, so it's up to its individual members if they want to stay in

just like FR is a voluntary organization ... it's not up to anyone outside to say "FR needs to be abolished"

[ConservativeMind]

We, in the US and Canada, make up key members which can be removed.

[tlozo]

a new iron curtain closing off the lies and degeneracy of the west would be a good thing.

Idiocy, you do understand that the Iron Curtain wasn't built to keep anyone out, but was built to imprison its citizens and prevent them from leaving?

[JonPreston]

I am pro-NATO

By your own admission you also bought into all the pro-Bush war propaganda that caused the deaths of millions of innocent Iraqis.

Are you proud of how dopey you are?

[bert]

Balderdascious drivel

[Delta 21]

It blows big holes in Russian Armor real good.

[Armscor38]

“By your own admission you also bought into all the pro-Bush war propaganda that caused the deaths of millions of innocent Iraqis.

Are you proud of how dopey you are?”

Did you cut and paste that from DU?

[canuck_conservative]

all the pro-Bush war propaganda that caused the deaths of millions of innocent Iraqis

whoa Comrade, first, it wasn't "millions", it was thousands

that's still tragic, but stop exaggerating

second, you conveniently ignore that Saddam was murdering (and torturing) thousands of innocent Iraqis every year, for mere political reasons, and had been doing it ever since he took over in 1979 (that's almost 25 years by 2003) ... plus he started the murderous war against Iran in Sept. 1980 that further killed his own people

let's not forget those facts

[JonPreston]

Those are my America First thoughts and ideas. Now run along, you wouldn’t understand.

[JonPreston]

last week you told me that only the lack of airfare was keeping you from fighting for The Zelenskyy.

I can help with that, just tell me where in Canada I should wire it to.

[BobL]

“Russian Tanks Can Escape Depleted Uranium Rounds by Leaving Ukraine: NSC”

And Kiev can escape dealing with Uranium dust clouds by telling the Neocons to keep their Uranium weapons on their own soil...

(actually, I don’t know how Russia will choose to respond, other than I wouldn’t want to be there to find out)

[The Louiswu]

[delta7]

And if NATO withdraws to its 1991 borders, peace will come.
———
Of course, but if the West just honored the Minsk Agreements this whole war would have never occurred.

There is one overlooked fact: Vlad is simply not giving up the ethnic Russian provinces- he has the support of his Congress and citizens.

When the Ukies finally agree to negotiations, the Minsk Accords will be the starting point…..besides Vlad holding the Russian provinces, he still holds all the cards, and there is nothing the West can do about it.

Dreaming of the Ukies pushing out the Russians is simply absurd, just a dream.

[DannyTN]

Lead poisoning coming to those Russians that don’t leave.

[canuck_conservative]

of course, because if you’re encouraging more fighting, then you’re obviously NOT a “man of peace”

thanks for exposing yourself