Moscow discusses allegations of “dirty bomb” in Ukraine with Beijing

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held a video conference with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on Wednesday to discuss Moscow’s allegations that Ukraine is developing a “dirty bomb,” the Russian military said.

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The two officials “discussed the situation in Ukraine” and “Sergei Shoigu expressed his concerns to his Chinese counterpart about the possibility that Ukraine could use a ‘dirty bomb’ to provoke,” the military said in a statement.

The Russian defense minister had a similar exchange on the phone with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, according to the same source.

Russia first made the allegations on Sunday during phone conversations between Sergei Shoigu and his American, French, British and Turkish counterparts.

Ukraine has denied producing a “dirty bomb” and in return accused Moscow of seeking an excuse for an escalation.

A radioactive bomb or “dirty bomb” consists of conventional explosives surrounded by radioactive material that is released during detonation.

Russia will “take strong measures” to “force the international community to actively act” to prevent Ukraine from using a “dirty bomb”, spokesman Dmitry Peskov pledged for his part from the Kremlin on Wednesday.

The “dirty bomb” allegations come as Russian forces are fighting on multiple fronts in Ukraine, where Russia has been on the offensive since February 24.