The US-led bloc used large amounts of depleted uranium ordnance during its aggression, with the impact still not fully explored.
Serbia is marking the 25th anniversary of the NATO attack on the former Yugoslavia, with the consequences of the aggression still plaguing the country a quarter of a century later.
NATO forces used some 31,000 rounds containing depleted uranium during the illegal bombing campaign, a highly toxic and slightly radioactive material. Attacks with the use of such munitions affected some 91 sites nationwide.
According to NATO’s own estimates, 10 metric tons of the material were used during the campaign. Depleted uranium has been primarily used in 30-mm armor-piercing incendiary ordnance, utilized by A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack planes, 25mm rounds for Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and shells for M1 Abrams tanks.
The aggression against the country effectively amounted to a “nuclear and chemical war,” with depleted uranium use suspected to be behind a surge in cancer cases and other health issues registered across the affected region, Serbian Health Minister Danica Grujicic has said.
“It was a nuclear and chemical war that was done against my country in 1999. It was a regional ecological catastrophe. A lot of very toxic and cancerous things were in the air, in the soil, in the water during the bombing, not only in Kosovo and Metohia but also in the north of Serbia. What I saw as a doctor is, first of all, that there are much more oncological diseases, but also that the tumors are more aggressive. The results of therapy were less fortunate than they were before,” Grujicic told RT, adding that the country has been registering abnormal rates of genetic disorders in humans and animals alike.
“We don’t even know how many consequences we can connect with the bombing and NATO aggression and depleted uranium.“
The bombing campaign took its toll not only on the Serbs, but also on ethnic Albanians the US-led bloc claimed to be protecting, as well as its own soldiers involved in the attack.
“Now more than 300 Italian veterans who developed cancer as a result of that exposure have since had their day in court,” correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij said in her report for RT, referring to hundreds of Italian NATO soldiers who suffered from various severe conditions after being exposed to depleted uranium (DU) during their deployment.
NATO launched what it called Operation Allied Force on March 24, 1999, and bombed the country for 78 days on behalf of ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo. That province was then placed under a UN provisional government, while Security Council Resolution 1244 guaranteed Serbian sovereignty. In 2008, the US-backed Kosovo provisional government unilaterally declared independence, with Belgrade never recognizing the move.
As always, then and now – North Atlantic Terrorist Organisation
NATO
Never Another Toilet Odour
With 400 wars since it’s inception, isn’t the USA the biggest polluter on the planet?
If it was not for Milosevich none of this would have happened. However, I do wonder (cynically) if it is a way of disposing of nuclear waste? Being serious about this, when you have projectiles fired at ballistic velocities, it does not really matter what metal is used. Therefore, why not use something that is more “friendly” like iron (or its alloy, steel). Iron is in our blood so if the munitions do not kill you then they will not harm you years later.
DU causes long term problems, just like unexploded land mines decades later.
Please do some research before you spout nonsense as if depleted munition does the same as ‘traditional’ munition.
Please actually read my post: I am stating the opposite making the point clearly that another metal like iron would do the same job but be safe later.
And I am pointing out clearly that another metal like iron CAN NOT do the same job.
You are totally misinformed. Misinformed about the intricacy of depleted Uranium munition, misinformed about it’s properties and the ‘rationale’ behind its use.
Rubbish. NATO wanted to break up Yugoslavia to exploit it. If you want to believe MSM fairy tales and USA/UK propaganda, this is not the site for you mate.
Rubbish. Milosevich committed genocide.
This is the site for me, mate.
A terrorist organisation led by the worlds greatest terrorist establishments, the United States and the United Kingdom. Absolute scum who waged war on a peaceful and successful nation, who were unfortunate enough to be Communist and a easy target for break up and pillaging, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Its a pleasure to see Russia breaking NATO, showing not only its weakness but that of its small coterie of corrupt elites who rule it from the shadows.
Thank you anonymous. Exactly to the point
Happened during the CCCP; Clinton Criminal Cartel Party!
Bombed an aspirin factory…
Blackhawk Down…
Glass-Steagel Act repealed…
Se the video titled ‘A Sniper’s War’ about a Serbian Sniper (Deki) who went to the aid of the Donbass region, and he lists what he saw with the NATO Invasion / attacks on Serbia…