The alternative bring tungsten? It's very stable so anything besides eating a spent rod isn't going to have effects. If it's in the air it'll just be inert. Even if it gets in your lungs it'll be like any other dust. DU on the other hand would keep emitting radiation internally.

But which people? Government or the people who actually own the land?

And I guess, their favourite choice of "Don't use any weapons on my land and just clear off voluntairily" is not an option.

I don't get why people hate on the Ukraine for using weapons to defend themselves. Not like they chose to be attacked.