Russian Drones Contained Radioactive Elements

[william]

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) alleges that anti-aircraft missiles, including R-60 variants, recently found on Russian drones contained radioactive elements, including Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.

• Images show SBU personnel using detectors on ground wreckage including a cylindrical component marked with a radiation hazard symbol at apparent crash sites.
• The allegation surfaces during ongoing intense drone operations, with Ukraine reporting successes against Russian air defenses and both sides exchanging claims over unconventional munitions.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2057006953768137198

 

[DEFCON Warning System]

I am going to have to punt on this one. Why would they contain radioactive elements? Is that part of their build?

Doesn't seem strategically advantageous to put such on anti-aircraft weapons.

 

[NuclearID]

@Friendly Engineer

 

[Publius]

Batteries might, as well as some structural component might contain uranium.

 

[NuclearID]

Batteries might, as well as some structural component might contain uranium.

I mean. It does sound something like Russia would do. They nuclear power everything eventually, or try... but if it works.... Suppose the drone could fly for months autonomously waiting for a target.

 

[Friendly Engineer]

Found another photo from SBU: Elevated radiation levels detected on Russian drone debris; striking elements made of depleted uranium (this is a different photo from the same incident). On this photo I can make out the units on the dosimeter, it's in μSv/hr.


On the picture you can still make out the tail on the micro symbol.

Here's the original Ukrainian govt source. Служба безпеки України
Here's the translation of their original post (using google translate):

SBU detected elevated radiation levels on the wreckage of a Russian strike drone used by the enemy to attack the Chernihiv region in April 2026
Counterintelligence and investigators of the Security Service detected elevated radiation levels on the wreckage of a Russian missile that the Russians armed with a modified Geran-2 strike drone during the attack on the Chernihiv region on the night of April 7 this year.
These are fragments of an R-60 air-to-air missile that was found near the village of Kamka.
It has been established that Russian troops use such missiles during massive attacks to destroy Ukrainian aircraft and helicopters that intercept enemy UAVs.
During radiation reconnaissance in the immediate vicinity of the wreckage of an enemy drone with a missile, a gamma radiation level of 12 μSv/h was recorded, which significantly exceeds the natural radiation background and threatens human health.
The SBU, together with units of the State Emergency Service and the Defense Forces of Ukraine, brought the warhead of the missile to a safe state and transported it to the radioactive waste storage site.
According to the results of the research, it was established that the warhead of the Russian missile includes depleted uranium warheads identified as Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.
Investigators of the Security Service are conducting a pre-trial investigation into this fact in criminal proceedings under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crimes) under the procedural leadership of the Chernihiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Given the toxicity and radioactivity of depleted uranium, we urge citizens to be especially careful if they discover fragments of UAVs, missiles or other munitions. The greatest danger is posed by damaged or burned munitions, as they can emit radioactive dust that is dangerous to people and the environment.
If such objects are discovered, do not approach them, do not touch them or move them. It is necessary to move to a safe distance and immediately report this by calling the hotlines: SBU – 15-16, SES – 101 or National Police – 102.

Personally I think they're exagerating how dangerous the DU (depleted uranium) part of it is, I'd be more worried about any explosives left in the missile, pointy bits of metal, any unused fuel etc...

Now for their 12 μSv/h claim.

Here's the annual dose estimate for a Colarado, US resident.

12μSv/hr corresponds to ~ 106mSv/yr. This is roughly 20x background dose rate. This means if you stood next to this missile for a year, you'd have a small but statistically noticeable increase in cancer risk (the 100mSv threshold). The majority of the decay energy of uranium is via alpha, the dose rate here is only for gamma. So if you ate it you'd be at much higher risk, but this isn't chernobyl. I'd quite happily handle it without gloves.

So in my opinion there isn't too much of a radiological risk with the DU here. DU means it's mostly U-238 with less than 0.72% U-235.

So, why did the Russians load up the missile with DU?
Few reasons I can think of:
- Penetration aid (DU is commonly used by many nations to help increase a missile's penetrating ability)
- Armour to make the missile less vulnerable
- A ballast to change the centre of mass of the missile

It certainly wasn't for any radiological or nuclear propulsion purposes. In my view it's in the same boat as DU rounds the Americans use.

 

[DEFCON Warning System]

- Penetration aid (DU is commonly used by many nations to help increase a missile's penetrating ability)
- Armour to make the missile less vulnerable
- A ballast to change the centre of mass of the missile

I can see that. How much of the stuff did they use?

 

[Friendly Engineer]

I can see that. How much of the stuff did they use?

Not a clue. Any guess on my part would be pure speculation.
It's a very dense material so from a volume perspective you can stuff a lot in there.

 

[Friendly Engineer]

I really don't think this is that newsworthy to be honest, big whoop Russia is using a material in munitions that loads of other countries use.

 

[NuclearID]

Found another photo from SBU: Elevated radiation levels detected on Russian drone debris; striking elements made of depleted uranium (this is a different photo from the same incident). On this photo I can make out the units on the dosimeter, it's in μSv/hr.
View attachment 9103
View attachment 9104
On the picture you can still make out the tail on the micro symbol.

Here's the original Ukrainian govt source. Служба безпеки України
Here's the translation of their original post (using google translate):

Personally I think they're exagerating how dangerous the DU (depleted uranium) part of it is, I'd be more worried about any explosives left in the missile, pointy bits of metal, any unused fuel etc...

Now for their 12 μSv/h claim.

Here's the annual dose estimate for a Colarado, US resident.
View attachment 9106
12μSv/hr corresponds to ~ 106mSv/yr. This is roughly 20x background dose rate. This means if you stood next to this missile for a year, you'd have a small but statistically noticeable increase in cancer risk (the 100mSv threshold). The majority of the decay energy of uranium is via alpha, the dose rate here is only for gamma. So if you ate it you'd be at much higher risk, but this isn't chernobyl. I'd quite happily handle it without gloves.

So in my opinion there isn't too much of a radiological risk with the DU here. DU means it's mostly U-238 with less than 0.72% U-235.

So, why did the Russians load up the missile with DU?
Few reasons I can think of:
- Penetration aid (DU is commonly used by many nations to help increase a missile's penetrating ability)
- Armour to make the missile less vulnerable
- A ballast to change the centre of mass of the missile

It certainly wasn't for any radiological or nuclear propulsion purposes. In my view it's in the same boat as DU rounds the Americans use.

As always top notch stuff. Thanks for all the clarifications!