News that the UK is supplying weapons to Ukraine that contain depleted uranium has sparked a flurry of reaction from political figures in Russia.

DU is used in weapons because it can penetrate tanks and armour more easily due to its density and other physical properties.

Accusations by Russia that it means edging towards a nuclear escalation in the war have been firmly rejected by the UK, which says the ammo is conventional.

Move has angered Russia

Following the announcement yesterday, Vladimir Putin said Moscow would react if the UK sent the armour-piercing rounds to Ukraine.

Russia’s president says the move heralds the West switching to supplying Kyiv with weapons containing nuclear components. 

His comments were later echoed by Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, who was quoted by Russian news outlet Interfax as saying there is potential for a “nuclear collision” between Moscow and the West over the move.

Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the UK’s supply of weapons containing depleted uranium brings the conflict to “new and dangerous levels”.

We also reported at 2.30pm that deputy foreign minister in Russia, Sergei Ryabkov, said it meant the probability of nuclear conflict is now “at its highest level in decades”.

What has the UK said about it?

In response to Mr Putin’s comments yesterday, the UK defence ministry said Vladimir Putin is “deliberately trying to disinform” by publicly criticising its decision to send ammo containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.

It said the material has been used in British Army shells “for decades” and has “nothing to do with nuclear weapons or capabilities”.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has also insisted there is no nuclear escalation in the Ukraine war. 

He said: “The only country in the world that is talking about nuclear issues is Russia.

The move “is purely about helping Ukraine defend itself,” he said.