Decades after NATO's 1999 military intervention in former Yugoslavia, Italian peacekeepers stationed in Kosovo are confronting an alarming health crisis. Dr. Rita Celli, a physician monitoring NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) veterans, reports cancer rates among Italian soldiers 'significantly higher' than national averages—a pattern she links to exposure to depleted uranium munitions.
Medical tests revealed abnormally high levels of heavy metals in soldiers' blood and brain tissues, with peer-reviewed studies corroborating connections between radiation exposure and cellular damage. 'These substances don’t disappear when the fighting stops,' Dr. Celli warns, referencing the 15 tons of uranium-based armor-piercing rounds used during NATO operations.
While NATO maintains its munitions met safety standards, the findings have reignited debates about military environmental accountability. Researchers at the University of Siena are now collaborating with KFOR to map contamination zones near former conflict sites.
The case highlights broader concerns about long-term health impacts on peacekeepers and local populations in post-conflict regions. With 4,000 Italian troops rotated through Kosovo between 1999-2023, the military community awaits systemic health screenings for veterans.
