Putin Reiterates "Radioactive Dirty Bomb" Claim, Fueling Escalation Fears

Putin could be using Ukrainian "dirty bomb" as a pretext to detonate nuclear warheads

ivan rodriguez gelfenstein


President Vladimir V. Putin on Wednesday reiterated Russia's baseless warning that Ukraine was preparing to detonate an alleged dirty bomb, amid growing concern in the West that the Kremlin was seeking a pretext to escalate its war in Ukraine.


Putin has joined the chorus of senior Russian officials who have claimed in recent days, without providing evidence, that Ukraine plans to detonate a dirty bomb, which uses conventional explosives to spread radioactive material.


At the same time, the Russian military conducted an annual exercise that included land, sea and air tests of its missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.


Putin's statement, along with the military exercises, raised concerns about a possible escalation of the war in Ukraine, the day after President Biden warned Putin that it would be "an incredibly serious mistake" to use a tactical nuclear weapon. in conflict


A dirty bomb is not a nuclear device, but Biden's warning reflects growing concern in Washington and among Western allies that Russia may be looking for a pretext to launch a tactical nuclear weapon.


Russia has released no evidence to back up its claim to a dirty bomb against Ukraine.

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