Russian missiles packed with depleted uranium warheads were used in an attack on northern Ukraine last month, triggering radiation to spike near bomb sites, Ukraine’s security agency said.
Toxic radiation levels were detected from an unexploded R-60 air-to-air missile mounted on a modified Geran-2 drone used by Russian forces to target Ukrainian helicopters and aircraft carrying out air defense missions in Chernihiv Oblast on April 7, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).
The radiation was traced to depleted uranium projectiles containing Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.
“During a radiation survey conducted near the wreckage of the drone carrying the missile, specialists recorded a gamma radiation level of 12 μSv/h, significantly exceeding natural background radiation and posing a potential threat to human life,” security officials said.
Ambient background gamma radiation typically ranges from 0.05 to 0.3 microsieverts per hour.
Depleted uranium is a byproduct of uranium enrichment used to produce nuclear fuel and weapons.
It is roughly two-and-a-half times denser than steel – a trait that helps it tear through heavy battlefield armor. When a weapon tipped in depleted uranium strikes a solid target, such as the side of a tank, it can burst straight through and erupt in a burning cloud of vapor.
The vapor then settles as dust, which is toxic and slightly radioactive.
The poison-laced missile warhead was secured by the SBU, State Emergency Service units, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the village of Kamak and transported to a radioactive waste storage facility.
The SBU urged Ukrainian citizens to be extremely cautious if they encounter debris from drones, missiles, or other debris.
“Given the toxic and radioactive nature of depleted uranium, citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution when encountering debris from UAVs, missiles, or other munitions,” officials said, warning to leave the area immediately and report it.
“Damaged or burned munitions present the greatest danger, as they may release radioactive dust hazardous to both people and the environment.”
