Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of planning to deploy ‘dirty bomb’

Russia has accused Ukraine of preparing a “provocation” involving the use of a “dirty bomb,” a device that uses explosives to scatter radioactive waste.

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the allegations in phone calls Sunday with his counterparts from the United States, Britain, France and Turkey.

Russia's defense ministry said Shoigu raised concern with his counterparts about “possible Ukrainian provocations involving a ‘dirty bomb.’”

While it does not have the devastating effects of a nuclear weapon, a dirty bomb could still contaminate large swathes of land with radioactive waste.

Russian officials have repeatedly alleged that Ukraine could detonate such a device in a false flag operation to frame Moscow. Ukrainian authorities have made similar accusations against Russia.

Kiev on Sunday condemned Russia’s suggestion as dangerous lies, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying the allegation probably meant that Russia itself was planning to deploy a radioactive device on Ukrainian soil.

"If Russia calls and says that Ukraine is allegedly preparing something, it means one thing: Russia has already prepared all this. I believe that now the world should react as harshly as possible," Zelensky said on social media.

The Ukrainian leader also called on the international community to respond harshly if Russia escalates the war. "I believe that now the world should react as harshly as possible," he said.

Russian defense minister: Ukraine conflict rapidly deteriorating, trending towards 'uncontrolled escalation'

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warns that the situation in Ukraine is rapidly deteriorating and spiraling into "uncontrolled escalation.”

Ukraine’s Western backers also dismissed Russia’s claim.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace warned Moscow against using the allegation as a pretext for escalation.

“The Defense Secretary refuted these claims and cautioned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for greater escalation,” the British Defense Ministry said. “The Defense Secretary also reiterated UK and wider international support for Ukraine and desire to de-escalate this conflict.”

Shoigu’s call with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was the second in three days. A US official familiar with Sunday's call said on condition of anonymity that Shoigu voiced concern about Ukrainian provocation.

The Pentagon's readout of the call said Austin told his Russian counterpart he "rejected any pretext for Russian escalation." The US defense secretary also "reaffirmed the value of continued communication."

The mention of a dirty bomb in Shoigu’s phone calls comes as Russia has ramped up missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, inducing the capital of Kiev, in light of Ukraine’s recent advances.

Ukrainian forces have focused their counteroffensive mostly on the Kherson region, cutting the main crossings across the Dnieper River and leaving Russian troops on the west bank short of supplies.

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