Disinfo: EU accepts depleted uranium shells to Ukraine but threatens new sanctions for the deployment of nuclear weapons to Belarus

Summary

The EU is threatening Russia with new sanctions if Moscow deploys nuclear weapon to Belarus. Earlier, the EU ignored the question about the provision of depleted uranium shells to Ukraine. Now Russia will ignore protests from the EU and will deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus in response.

Disproof

The article creates a false equivalence between depleted uranium tank rounds and nuclear weapons, in an attempt to manipulate in the context of nuclear fearmongering. The article attempts to portray the EU as holding double standards, while also continuing a systematic effort to undermine EU sanctions.

On March 21, 2023, the Ministry of Defence of the UK already answered Russian claims about the deployment of depleted uranium shells to Ukraine and the interpretation of such kind of ammunition as a “nuclear weapon”. “It is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons or capabilities. Russia knows this, but is deliberately trying to disinform”, says a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence of the UK.

Depleted uranium has a higher density than ordinary steel; about 2,5 times and about 1,5 times more dense than lead. This allows a tank shell to gain more momentum and penetrate armour more effectively. See also more facts about depleted uranium shells here.

Reacting to the deployment of a nuclear weapon in Belarus announced by Russia, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, HRVP Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter: “Belarus hosting Russian nuclear weapons would mean an irresponsible escalation & threat to European security. Belarus can still stop it, it is their choice. The EU stands ready to respond with further sanctions”.

See other examples of disinformation about nuclear issues: UK delivery of depleted uranium tank shells will lead to a nuclear catastrophe; Radioactive substances brought to Ukraine could be used to make a “dirty bomb”; Containers with radioactive substances were delivered from Europe to Ukraine for a provocation to accuse Russia.

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LDiena.lt (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 330
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/03/2023
  • Article language(s) Lithuanian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, EU
  • Keywords: Nuclear issues, Sanctions, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: UK delivery of depleted uranium tank shells will lead to a nuclear catastrophe

British-Ukrainian plans [to transfer depleted uranium shells to Ukraine] will lead to a nuclear catastrophe.

Mar 27, 2023
Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation fearmongering about nuclear weapons. This is a part of a wider disinformation campaign, the ultimate goal of which is to present Ukraine as a threat and therefore justify Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion.

On the 6th March 2023, the UK Government confirmed that:

Disinfo: Anti-war activists arrested for criticising US Secretary of State

Activists were arrested for criticising the US Secretary of State. Several activists who challenged Secretary Blinken during an intervention in the Senate were arrested in Washington, for openly protesting against the war.

Mar 27, 2023
Disproof

This is a distortion of actual events, aiming to promote several long-term pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about censorship and a lack of real democracy in the West.

The group of activists mentioned in this story, called Code Pink, were arrested for loudly disrupting an official event, which is part of their political strategy as they state themselves. They do this in the knowledge that if they stay inside the limits of a peaceful protest, they will be released soon afterwards with no charges, as was the case again here. However, this disinformation story falsely frames this arrest as a reaction to their criticism of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while disingenuously ignoring the actual reason for their actions.

Disinfo: Nuclear weapons in Belarus are justified because of territorial claims of Poland and the Baltic states

There are many good reasons to deploy the Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. The growing militarisation of Poland and the UK’s decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium munitions are among them. Furthermore, revanchist ideas concerning Russian territories exist in Poland and the Baltic states and Polish authorities have territorial claims towards Belarus.

Mar 27, 2023
Disproof

The article provides false pretexts for stationing Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus, attempting to manipulate in the context of nuclear fearmongering.

It contains the “aggressive Poland” and, more broadly, the “anti-Russian West” disinformation narratives. Neither Poland nor the Baltic states have territorial claims towards Belarus or Russia. In contrast, Russia maintains territorial claims towards Ukraine and has violated its territorial integrity.