Ukraine war: Zelensky hits back at Russia’s ‘dirty bomb’ claims

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said claims made by Russia’s defense chief during a round of phone calls meant Moscow was setting the stage for a radioactive ‘dirty bomb’ device to be deployed on Ukrainian soil.

Earlier on Sunday, Sergei Shoigu, over phone with counterparts in the United States, Britain, France and Turkey, alleged that Ukraine was preparing to “produce” a radioactive device.

“If Russia calls and says Ukraine is allegedly preparing something, it means one thing: Russia has already prepared it all,” Zelensky said in a televised address Sunday evening.

Russia’s defense ministry said Shoigu expressed concern about a possible Ukrainian provocation involving a “dirty bomb”, a device that uses explosives to scatter radioactive waste.

It does not have the devastating effect of a nuclear explosion, but it can expose wide areas to radioactive contamination.

Russian officials have repeatedly alleged that Ukraine may detonate a dirty bomb in a false flag attack and blame it on Moscow.

In turn, the Ukrainian authorities have accused the Kremlin of planning such.

Zelensky stressed that the international community is unlikely to believe Shoigu’s claims.

“The Russian threat of nuclear weapons … is a reason to further strengthen both the sanctions and support for Ukraine,” he said.

Zelensky also said that power supply was back in all areas of the country after heavy Russian bombing of key infrastructure on Saturday.

Russia in its latest war strategy has stepped up attacks on power stations, water supply systems and other key infrastructure in Ukraine.

Zelensky said scheduled power outages were being implemented in some areas to share power with areas unable to produce sufficient amounts of electricity.