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Russia Used First Radioactive Missile in Ukraine, War-Crime Probe Launched

5/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Investigators confirmed a Russian Geran-2 drone used an R-60 missile with a depleted-uranium warhead, the first radioactive munition in the war.
Ukraine’s Security Service reported on May 20 that the recovered missile emitted 12 µSv/h radiation and that SBU secured the warhead and moved it to a storage site.
Officials warned that damaged munitions can release radioactive dust and that a pre-trial investigation under Article 438 has been opened for possible war-crime violations.

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Story summary

Investigators confirmed a Russian Geran-2 drone used an R-60 missile with a depleted-uranium warhead, the first radioactive munition in the war.
Ukraine’s Security Service reported on May 20 that the recovered missile emitted 12 µSv/h radiation and that SBU secured the warhead and moved it to a storage site.
Officials warned that damaged munitions can release radioactive dust and that a pre-trial investigation under Article 438 has been opened for possible war-crime violations.