In a telephone conversation with his French and British colleagues, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that Kiev planned to detonate a radioactive bomb to discredit Moscow.
Shoigu had “expressed his concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine using a ‘dirty bomb’,” Russia’s defense ministry said on Sunday.
«Russian lies are dangerous and absurd»
“Russian lies about Ukraine’s alleged plans to use a ‘dirty bomb’ are as absurd as they are dangerous,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. Ukraine is loyal to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. “The Russians often blame others for what they themselves are up to,” Kuleba warned in Kiev.
Following the call, it was said from London that Defense Secretary Ben Wallace had dismissed the allegations and warned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for further escalation. The minister also emphasized the desire for de-escalation.
Conventional explosives that also disperse radioactive material are called “dirty bombs.” Ukraine, for its part, which gave up its nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union, accuses Russia of planning to drop such a bomb.
Russians predict ‘uncontrolled escalation’
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the situation in Ukraine is becoming more dire towards an “uncontrolled escalation”. Russia’s state news agency Ria Novosti claimed Kiev has virtually completed the completion of a small tactical atomic bomb and is ready to detonate it on its own soil “to launch a strong anti-Russian campaign aimed at boosting confidence in Moscow.” to undermine”.
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has not gone as planned by Moscow for months. The advance initially faltered and now the Russian units are even partially on the defensive. Against this background, speculation about a possible Russian use of tactical nuclear weapons against the neighboring country is increasing. Moscow denies such intentions. (ceded)