What a dirty bomb Russia's accusing Kiev of

Russian officials claim Ukraine is planning to use a dirty bomb on its territory in an effort to blame Russia for the attack.

The Russian state news organisation RIA Novosti wrote on Sunday that “the target of” of “is to approve the planned” is to accuse Russia of using weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine and thus launch a powerful anti-rus campaign in the world that aims to undermine confidence in Moscow”, the post says.

Moreover, a Russian Foreign Ministry press report also stated that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu “expressed his French counterpart's concerns about possible provocations from Ukraine with the use of a dirty APUbox1>, Ukrinform reported.

A dirty bomb, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a mixture of explosives and radioactive materials such as dust or bullets.

When dynamite or other explosives are activated, the blast carries radioactive material to the surrounding area,” says CDC on its website.

The CDC added that the main risk posed by a dirty bomb comes from its explosion, noting that its radioactive material “would probably not create sufficient exposure to radiation to cause serious immediate diseases, in addition to the people found near the site of the” explosion.

A dirty bomb has never been used in conflict, said Christopher Fetweis, a professor of political science at Tulane University, for Newsweek news agency on Sunday.

“They are more theoretical than real,” said Fetweis, who added that the idea that Ukrainians will use a dirty bomb on their territory is “crazy”.

I think this is a product of Putin's imagination, which he likes to throw there and put on RT”, Fetweis said, referring to the Russian state media organisation.

It wouldn't make sense for Ukrainians to do that. Even if they tried to promote public opinion against the Russians, because why would someone trust the Russians at this point?

Fetweis added he believes the audience aimed at Russia's claims is not the international community, but the Russian people.

He noted that Putin's largest “problem is now largely” is not the Ukrainian army, but Russian public opinion. Russia will likely use the declaration to gather people against Ukraine, he added.