Russia uses ‘Geraniums’ with uranium elements: SBU recorded radiation levels up to 24 µSv/h

The Security Service of Ukraine reported six new cases of finding munitions with uranium components after Russian attacks on the Chernihiv region. These strikes were carried out from April to June 2026 using Geran-2 drones equipped with Soviet R-60M air-to-air missiles.

During the examination of the drone crash sites, specialists from the SBU and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine recorded radiation levels exceeding the natural background by more than 80 times. The gamma radiation power of individual fragments ranged from 8.3 to 24 microsieverts per hour, with the SBU’s stated sanitary norm being 0.3 µSv/h. The examination confirmed the presence of uranium-235 and uranium-238 in the warheads of the missiles.

The discovered munitions were neutralized, and the dangerous areas were surveyed. Investigators opened a criminal case under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — violation of the laws and customs of war. Residents were warned not to approach, touch, or attempt to move the drone and missile debris independently.

From a single case to a series: chronology of discoveries

New SBU data shows that it is no longer about a single unusual munition but about the repeated use of the same system.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine published the Geran-2 device with an R-60 missile as early as December 15, 2025. According to GUR, Russian military installed an outdated Soviet air-to-air missile on a special mount in the upper front part of the drone’s body. The drone was equipped with cameras and image transmission means, allowing the operator to search for Ukrainian planes or helicopters involved in intercepting Russian UAVs.

The first known radioactive fragment was found after the attack on the night of April 7, 2026 near the settlement of Kamka in the Chernihiv region. At that time, the gamma radiation power near the debris was about 12 µSv/h. The warhead was neutralized and transported to a specialized radioactive waste storage facility.

July 16 SBU reported two more episodes in the Sumy region. Radiation from the debris was 8.3 and 10.5 µSv/h. The report also first mentioned the total mass of uranium elements — 2810 grams. Three isotopes were found in their composition: uranium-234, uranium-235, and uranium-238.

If all published episodes do not overlap, the Ukrainian side publicly reported at least nine cases by July 23: one initial in the Chernihiv region, two in the Sumy region, and six new ones in the Chernihiv region.

Why Russia needed the R-60M missile on a drone

The R-60 and its upgraded version R-60M were created in the USSR as air-to-air guided missiles for close-range aerial combat. Their standard carriers were supposed to be aircraft, and their targets were other flying vehicles.

In the Russian modification, the Geran-2 acts not just as a strike drone but as a unmanned platform for launching an air-to-air missile. According to GUR, the operator receives images from the drone’s cameras and can launch the R-60 after detecting a Ukrainian plane or helicopter. After launch, the missile’s infrared homing head should independently lock onto the heat target.

This is especially important against the backdrop of active use of Ukrainian aviation against Shaheds. Russia is trying to make intercepting strike drones more dangerous: the crew of a helicopter or plane approaching the Geran may now potentially come under missile attack.

At the same time, uranium components are not in the engine or fuel of the drone. They are associated with the warhead’s striking elements installed on it.

What is depleted uranium

Depleted uranium is formed during the enrichment of natural uranium. It contains less uranium-235 than the natural material and significantly more uranium-238. The International Atomic Energy Agency indicates that depleted uranium is less radioactive than natural uranium because it contains less uranium-234 and uranium-235.

The UN Environment Programme characterizes it as both a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal. Its radioactivity is approximately 60% of natural uranium’s activity, but its high density makes the material suitable for use in armor, counterweights, and some types of munitions.

Depleted uranium does not turn a missile into a nuclear weapon and cannot cause a nuclear explosion. The danger is of a different nature: external irradiation near the fragment, chemical toxicity of the heavy metal, and possible ingestion of radioactive particles into the body.

Why the discovered debris is dangerous

External gamma radiation

A reading of 24 µSv/h means that directly near the most active of the found fragments, a person could receive about 24 microsieverts in one hour.

This does not mean immediate radiation sickness after a few minutes nearby. However, such a level significantly exceeds the usual background and is unacceptable for uncontrolled human access. The danger increases with prolonged presence nearby, direct contact, or taking the fragment home.

According to published data, it is primarily about local sources near the debris, not an increase in the radiation background throughout the Chernihiv or Sumy region. Radiation decreases as one moves away from the source.

Uranium dust

The greatest risk arises if the missile or its warhead:

• exploded or burned;
• broke into small parts;
• underwent mechanical processing;
• began to disintegrate in the soil;
• was moved or disassembled by a person.

The SBU emphasized that damaged and burnt munitions are especially dangerous because they can release radioactive dust.

Particles can enter the body through inhalation, contaminated water and food, or through wounds. The impact depends on the size of the particles, their solubility, the amount of substance, and the duration of contact. UNEP notes that when a uranium munition hits a surface, part of its mass can turn into dust.

Kidney and lung damage

Uranium is a heavy metal, so the risk is not only related to radiation. The World Health Organization names the kidneys and lungs as the main organs potentially affected by depleted uranium exposure. Chemically soluble compounds can enter the bloodstream and damage the kidneys, while poorly soluble particles can remain in the lungs for a long time.

It is especially dangerous to be in a cloud of smoke or dust after an explosion, collect metal fragments, saw them, break them, or store them in a residential area.

Territory contamination

Large fragments can remain in the ground and gradually disintegrate. Depending on the soil composition, humidity, and chemical form of uranium, contamination can persist near the impact site and require fragment removal, soil examination, and special disposal.

The International Committee of the Red Cross noted that areas of concentrated depleted uranium contamination are usually local in nature but advised against visiting such areas and collecting military debris.

Why the call not to panic does not mean the debris is safe

After the first case, the head of the communications department of the Ukrainian Air Force Yuriy Ignat urged citizens not to panic. He called the uranium-containing material a standard alloy used in old Soviet missiles.

However, the formulation of “inactive uranium” is scientifically inaccurate. Depleted uranium is less radioactive than natural uranium but does not cease to be radioactive. It also retains the chemical toxicity of a heavy metal.

Therefore, the two positions do not contradict each other: the discovery of one fragment does not mean a radiation disaster on the scale of a nuclear power plant accident, but approaching it, touching it, or disassembling it is indeed dangerous.

What cannot yet be independently verified

The SBU claims that the examination confirmed the presence of depleted uranium. However, the published message from July 23 does not provide:

• exact proportions of each isotope;
• full laboratory protocol;
• mass of uranium elements in six new cases;
• distance from which measurements were taken;
• results of soil and water analysis;
• estimates of possible doses for local residents;
• conclusion of an independent international laboratory.

The presence of uranium-235 and uranium-238 alone does not yet allow an external specialist to determine whether the material was depleted. The official definition requires that the proportion of uranium-235 be below the natural level — less than 0.711% of the total uranium mass.

This does not refute the conclusion of the Ukrainian examination but means that it cannot be verified solely by the press release. A more complete evidence base may be a closed part of the criminal proceedings.

Legal aspect

SBU investigators are investigating episodes under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. At the same time, the mere presence of depleted uranium in a munition does not automatically qualify each of its uses as a war crime.

International humanitarian law requires assessing the chosen target, the weapon’s ability to distinguish between military and civilian objects, the proportionality of the expected military result and damage to the civilian population, the precautions taken, and the potential long-term harm to the environment.

The International Committee of the Red Cross indicates that states are obliged to check new means of warfare for compliance with norms prohibiting indiscriminate action, excessive suffering, and extensive, long-term, and serious damage to nature.

The investigation must establish the circumstances of each launch, the chosen targets, the crash site, the condition of the warhead, and the possible impact on civilians.

What to do if debris is found

The SBU urges not to approach parts of drones, missiles, and other unknown metal objects after shelling.

Do not:

• touch the fragments;
• move them;
• bring them home;
• disassemble or saw them;
• attempt to measure contamination independently in close proximity;
• raise dust near the crash site.

It is necessary to move to a safe distance and report to the numbers 101, 102, or the SBU hotline 1516.

Main conclusion

The discovered uranium elements do not pose a threat of a nuclear explosion and, according to available data, have not led to radioactive contamination of entire regions. But this does not make them harmless.

The danger is concentrated near the missile fragments and especially increases after an explosion or fire, when small toxic particles can form. A person who is simply far from the crash site faces much less risk than someone who approached the debris, touched it, or inhaled the resulting dust.

For NANews — News of Israel, it is fundamentally important not to exaggerate the threat, but also not to reduce it to “ordinary metal alloy.” The repeated discovery of radioactive components in Russian R-60M missiles requires full international study, publication of laboratory data, and systematic examination of the areas where such munitions fell.