MOSCOW, April 12. /TASS/. The UK’s statements about plans to supply Kiev with depleted uranium shells are not to be taken lightly, and London will not escape responsibility in case it delivers on these promises, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
"Britain's statements about its intention, readiness to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium ammunition are a really serious threat, including for the people of Ukraine. <...> This time they won’t get away with this criminal activity," the diplomat told a briefing.
British Parliamentary Secretary of State Baroness Annabel Goldie said in a written response to a question by a member of the House of Lords in March that the United Kingdom would supply Ukraine with shells containing depleted uranium and having increased efficiency in destroying armored vehicles. The British Defense Ministry described depleted uranium as a standard component of armor-piercing ammunition, which has been used for decades.
Commenting on the decision of the British authorities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would be forced to respond accordingly to the fact that "the West is already starting to use weapons with a nuclear component." The Russian embassy in the UK warned London against transferring depleted uranium ammunition to Kiev. The diplomatic mission's commentary stressed that the move was fraught with an escalation of the conflict, while the use of such munitions in Ukraine would affect the health of the local population.