The United States continues to show its support for Ukraine. Most recently, the US Department of Defense announced a security assistance package worth up to 175 million US dollars for Kyiv including depleted uranium ammunition for Abrams tanks.
According to the Pentagon, the military assistance announced Wednesday will also include anti-armor systems, tactical air navigation systems and additional ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
This assistance received a response from Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert.
Regarding the assistance with uranium ammunition, he said, although it is not considered a weapon of mass destruction, this ammunition is capable of causing great harm, especially to humans and the environment.
“The reason why there are no restrictions on depleted uranium munitions in international treaties is because the US-led hegemonic states do not allow the creation of treaties that specifically target depleted uranium munitions. However, the international community generally believes that such weapons should be banned, ” said Song, as quoted from the Global Times , Friday (7/9).
The US military used depleted uranium ammunition and depleted uranium-enhanced armor during the 1991 Gulf War against Iraq, as well as in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and in Serbia and in Kosovo.
According to media reports, US troops suspect some of their current illnesses may have been caused by inhaling or being exposed to debris from fired munitions or tank attacks, thereby damaging uranium-reinforced armor plating.
This will be the US’s first delivery of controversial armor-piercing munitions to Kyiv, after the UK sent uranium munitions to Ukraine previously, as reported by media.
Experts assess that the uranium ammunition provided by Britain will reportedly expire soon and it would be better to use it on the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield rather than destroying it.
Since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February, the US government has provided more than $43 billion in equipment to Ukraine, including weapons, training and other military and law enforcement assistance.
However, Song noted that no matter how much aid the US or the West provides (to Ukraine), it will all be in vain and will not reverse the course of the war. On the contrary, this will cause long-term and enormous damage to human health and the environment.
Song said the gap in military strength between Ukraine and Russia was too large, and it was difficult for Ukraine to defeat Russia as long as the US or NATO did not want to participate in the war.
“While the US and NATO continue to provide assistance, it is indirect support and not direct action. “As a result, there is a limit to the capacity increase that can be provided to the Ukrainian side,” he said.
Despite having received a large amount of weapons and equipment, the lack of personnel is the most troublesome problem for Ukraine.
Therefore, experts assess, it is difficult for Western countries to fulfill their interests in a proxy war, where they provide funds and military aid while expecting Ukraine itself to provide personnel.
Source : RMOL.id
