Russia claims Ukraine in 'final stage' of creating 'dirty bomb'
Moscow said Monday that Ukraine had nearly completed developing a "dirty bomb," after Russia's defense minister in calls with NATO counterparts claimed Kyiv's forces were planning to deploy the weapon.
"According to the information we have, two organizations in Ukraine have specific instructions to create a so-called 'dirty bomb'. This work is in its final stage," Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov said in a statement on Monday.
He said Kyiv was planning to accuse Russia of "using weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine and thus launch a powerful anti-Russian campaign in the world".
The weapon would be composed of radioactive elements "creating radioactive contamination over large areas, and potentially also leading to radiation diseases" after detonation.
The United Kingdom, the United States and France issued a joint statement dismissing the claim earlier on Monday.
"Our countries made clear that we all reject Russia's transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory," according to the statement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the reaction from the West was "in line with their reckless support for their protege (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelensky, their indulgence for his Russophobic actions and destruction of civilian population," during a press conference Monday.
Zelensky on Sunday refuted the accusation and called for a harsh answer from the West.
"If Russia calls and says that Ukraine is allegedly preparing something, it means one thing: Russia has already prepared all this," Zelensky said in a video address on social media.
25 October 2022, 02:40
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i.report an idiot #recycling_fake_news!
21 August 2013 - Chemical weapons attacks in Syria on the opposition-controlled Damascus suburbs of Eastern and Western Ghouta. The attacks killed hundreds of civilians.
4 April 2017 - A chemical attack on the town of Khan Shaykhun in the Idlib Governorate of Syria. The town was struck by an airstrike by government forces followed by massive civilian chemical poisoning. The release of a toxic gas, which included sarin, or a similar substance, killed at least 89 people and injured more than 541.
Damascus and Moscow claimed the opposition itself had launched the attack to falsely accuse the Assad regime.
Sergei Lavrov said he had "irrefutable evidence" that the attack was staged as part of a "Russophobic campaign". General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for Russia's defence ministry accused the UK of being involved in staging the attack.
