State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the U.S. firmly rejects the “transparently false allegation” by Russia that Ukraine has plans to detonate a “dirty bomb” on its own territory.
Price said the U.S. is concerned this false allegation may be used as a pretext for Russian escalation, according to a news release.
“We reject the transparently false allegation that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory,” Price said in the release.
In an Oct. 23 joint statement, the U.S., France and the U.K. rejected Russia’s allegations. They also reiterated their support for Ukraine's sovereignty.
Russia brought the accusation that Kyiv has ordered two organizations to create a dirty bomb, but did not provide evidence to the U.N. during a closed-door meeting, Reuters reported. Britain's Deputy U.N. Ambassador James Kariuki told reporters Russia's accusations are “completely wasting our time and it’s misinformation and it should stop.”
Ukraine Foreign Minister Kuleba spoke on a call with Director General Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to invite the IAEA to perform an investigation to combat this misinformation, Price said in a briefing, according to the State Department release. He said Foreign Minister Kuleba told the IAEA to “urgently send experts to peaceful facilities in Ukraine which Russia deceitfully claims to be developing a dirty bomb.” The IAEA agreed, Price said.
A ”dirty bomb” refers to radiological dispersal devices, the New York Times reported Oct. 25. It is an improvised bomb designed to spread radioactive material in the surrounding area when it is detonated. The Times explained it is technically not a “nuclear weapon” as there is no fission, no fusion, no massive release of energy and is not powerful enough to destroy an entire city.
