UK says supply of depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine is not nuclear escalation

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly attends a news conference following a meeting with Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko in Astana, Kazakhstan March 18, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday there was no nuclear escalation in the Ukraine war, speaking after Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned London's plan to supply Ukraine with ammunition containing depleted uranium.

Britain had on Monday confirmed it was supplying Ukraine with that type of ammunition, which is used in weapons because it can penetrate tanks and armour more easily due to its density and other physical properties.