Does Russia use drones equipped with depleted uranium in Ukraine?
Ukrainian security services report finding at least 10 Russian Shahed drones carrying R-60 missiles equipped with depleted uranium rods in Ukraine. These weapons are classified as conventional, not nuclear, despite containing radioactive material.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
Reports from Ukraine indicate that Russia is deploying Shahed drones armed with R-60 air-to-air missiles containing depleted uranium, a dense material used to enhance lethality. While experts classify these as conventional weapons with low radiation risks, their use has sparked controversy and raised concerns about potential health and environmental impacts.
Imagine a super-strong, extra-heavy metal that's a bit like a special kind of rock. Russia is using drones that carry missiles with tiny bits of this super-strong metal, called depleted uranium, to hit Ukrainian planes. Even though it's a little bit radioactive, experts say it's not like a nuclear bomb, but it can still be dangerous if you touch it or breathe its dust, so people need to be careful around it.
Analysis
Shahed Drones
Ukrainian security services (SBU) have identified at least ten instances of Russian Shahed drones found in northern Ukraine carrying R-60 air-to-air missiles equipped with depleted uranium rods. These findings, primarily between April and July 2026 in Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts, suggest a pattern of deployment for these specific drone types.
The SBU indicates that these particular Shahed drones, armed with such missiles, were likely intended to target Ukrainian interceptor aircraft during Russian aerial assaults. The initial report of such a drone emerged in January 2026, highlighting a potentially evolving aspect of Russia's drone warfare strategy in the conflict.
R-60 Missiles
The R-60 missile, a Soviet-era air-to-air weapon developed in the 1970s for short-range combat, is at the center of this controversy. The specific variant, R-60M, is known to incorporate components made from depleted uranium, a practice that predates the current conflict in Ukraine.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian drone expert, emphasized that while these missiles contain depleted uranium rods, they are not nuclear warheads. The primary function of the depleted uranium, according to Robert Tolst of RUSI, is to increase the missile's effectiveness by creating more numerous and heavier fragments upon impact, thereby enhancing its lethality without requiring a direct hit, especially when using a proximity fuse.
Serhiy Beskrestnov
Serhiy Beskrestnov, a prominent Ukrainian drone expert also known as "Flash," was instrumental in bringing the issue of depleted uranium-equipped drones to light. He first reported on such a drone in January 2026, drawing attention to this specific type of weaponry being used in the conflict.
Beskrestnov, who has served as an advisor to both the Ukrainian Minister of Defense and President Volodymyr Zelensky, provided crucial insights into the nature of the R-60 missiles. He clarified that the warheads, while containing depleted uranium rods, are designed for shooting down aircraft and do not constitute nuclear weapons, despite the inherent dangers associated with the material.
His expertise underscores the technical aspects of these weapons, explaining that the high density of depleted uranium is typically utilized in anti-armor ammunition. In the context of air-to-air missiles, this density allows for greater fragmentation and destructive power, a critical factor in aerial engagements.
Key points
- Ukraine's SBU reports identifying at least 10 Russian Shahed drones carrying R-60 missiles equipped with depleted uranium rods.
- These missiles were reportedly designed to target Ukrainian interceptor aircraft during Russian air attacks.
- Depleted uranium is a dense material used in conventional weapons, not nuclear, with lower radioactivity than natural uranium.
- Experts suggest its high density enhances missile lethality by creating more, smaller fragments upon impact.
- While generally considered safe to handle, the IAEA and UNEP warn of potential health risks from dust inhalation or ingestion, including skin irritation, kidney failure, and increased cancer risk.
- The use of depleted uranium has been historically controversial, with Russia previously criticizing the UK for supplying similar ammunition to Ukraine.
The continued deployment of depleted uranium in conflict zones could lead to long-term environmental contamination and pose significant health risks to both military personnel and civilians, as highlighted by warnings from the IAEA and UNEP. This controversial usage also risks further escalating international tensions, particularly given Russia's past condemnations of other nations for similar actions.
