The UN Security Council held a closed session on Tuesday to discuss repeated Russian allegations that Ukraine was planning to use a “dirty bomb”. Russia said it “doubts” inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency that could prove this was not the case. The meeting took place at the initiative of Russia. Kiev and its western allies once again emphatically denied the allegations.
“We have not seen or heard any new evidence during this closed meeting,” British Deputy Ambassador to the UN James Kariuki said after the meeting, in which he condemned Russia’s “disinformation”. Ukraine has “nothing to hide” and IAEA inspectors are on their way, he added.
Russia sees “serious danger”
After the meeting, Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, reiterated Russia’s accusation that the use of a “dirty bomb” was a “very serious danger”, “a serious threat”. Ukraine has “the capabilities” and “reasons to do so, because the regime of (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy wants to avoid defeat and involve NATO in a direct confrontation with Russia,” he said.
Polyansky pointed to two facilities in Ukraine that could produce “non-advanced” bombs. It is “very difficult to discern the activities involved in making these dirty bombs.” At the request of Kiev, which had asked for experts to be sent, the IAEA confirmed on Monday that it will visit the two facilities concerned “in the coming days”.
Explosive device with radioactive material
A “dirty bomb” is a conventional explosive device that disperses radioactive material into the environment when detonated. Unlike atomic bombs, such explosives do not produce a nuclear explosion.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made similar allegations against Ukraine for the first time on Sunday in telephone conversations with his colleagues from the US, France, Britain and Turkey. Shoigu spoke of “possible provocations on the part of Ukraine through the use of a ‘dirty bomb'”. Washington, Paris and London dismissed the allegations as “transparently false claims” by Moscow in a joint statement. “Reminder: Ukraine has no nuclear weapons,” the UK UN mission tweeted ahead of the Security Council meeting.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
