Russia deploys uranium-tipped missiles: Expert warns of radiation hazard
Russian forces are launching R-60 missiles containing depleted uranium against Ukrainian aircraft. Experts are now urging civilians to avoid collecting missile debris due to severe radiation risks.
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Russian missile wreckage with a depleted uranium warhead discovered in the Chernihiv region
Wreckage from downed Russian R-60 air-to-air missiles poses a major health threat to civilians. Because these munitions contain depleted uranium components, prolonged contact or keeping these fragments as «souvenirs» at home can trigger radiation sickness.
Dmytro Slediuk, head of the training department at the Dronarium Academy, sounded the alarm on the Kyiv24 TV channel.
According to the expert, brief exposure near a crash site or missile debris will not cause immediate harm. However, the danger skyrockets if people take the wreckage with them.
«Briefly standing near R-60 wreckage won’t damage your health. But if you collect them, store them at home, or carry them around, you risk radiation poisoning,» Slediuk emphasized.
The main hazard
The expert stresses that the biggest threat is not the external radiation from a solid piece of metal, but rather the debris byproducts generated during an explosion or ground impact.
- Toxic dust: Microscopic dust and tiny uranium particles pose the ultimate risk.
- Internal exposure: Once inhaled, these radioactive heavy metals settle inside the body, causing severe and irreversible health damage.
Why Russia uses R-60 missiles?
The R-60 is a Soviet-era short-range, infrared-homing air-to-air missile. According to Slediuk, the Russian military now deploys them to target Ukrainian jets and helicopters that hunt down enemy kamikaze drones. Essentially, the enemy is trying to shield its «Shahed» drones from being intercepted by Ukrainian aviation.
The military and emergency services reiterate their warning to the public: if you spot any missile or drone debris, stay back, do not touch it, and immediately alert the State Emergency Service (101) or the Police (102).