US advises Russia to withdraw tanks from Ukraine if they are worried about depleted uranium shells supply

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said this at a briefing on Wednesday, reports European Pravda.

"There have been health studies done on depleted uranium munitions. It is not a radioactive threat. It is not anywhere close to going into the nuclear realm. This is a commonplace type of munition that is used particularly for its armor-piercing capabilities," he emphasized.

The White House representative said that the USA does not transfer depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine.

"If Russia is deeply concerned about the welfare of their tanks and their tank soldiers, the safest thing for them to do is to move them across the border and get them out of Ukraine," added Kirby.

Depleted uranium is the waste of the uranium enrichment process, which consists in separating the uranium-235 isotope from natural uranium.  Due to its high density, depleted uranium is also used in military equipment armor (in particular, M1 Abrams tanks) and armor-piercing projectiles.

• On Monday Britain confirmed that it will supply Ukraine with depleted uranium ammunition. After that, Putin falsely stated that it was a weapon with a "nuclear component".