Key points
- Russia is reviving the propaganda narrative about Ukraine's possible use of a “dirty bomb” to influence Western military aid to Kyiv.
- Putin and Medvedev have spoken of the possibility of a “catastrophic” Russian response, although there is no evidence that Ukraine intends to use such weapons.
- Russian officials are using these statements to slow down Western talks on support for Ukraine and undermine the resolve of its partners.
Russia is reviving the propaganda narrative that Ukraine is allegedly planning to use a “dirty bomb” against it. The Kremlin is probably trying to influence discussions in the West about providing additional military aid to Kyiv.
This was reported by Channel 24 , citing the American Institute for the Study of War.
Why the Kremlin is talking about a “dirty bomb” in Ukraine again
Analysts noted that Vladimir Putin responded to a question from a panel moderator at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 20 about whether Ukraine would use a “dirty bomb” (a conventional explosive containing radioactive material that is not a nuclear weapon) against Russia.
The Russian dictator said it would be a “colossal mistake” and that Russia would respond proportionally to all threats.
Putin stressed that Russia's response to Ukraine's use of a “dirty bomb” would be “catastrophic” for Ukraine, but noted that there is no evidence that Kyiv intends to use this type of weapon, analysts write.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev took advantage of Putin's statement and on June 21 declared that Russia “will respond with tactical nuclear weapons” if Ukraine uses a “dirty bomb” against Russia.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time that Russian officials have lied that Ukraine allegedly wants to use a “dirty bomb” against Russia. Previously, similar statements along with nuclear blackmail were made in March and October 2022.
“The institute assessed that Russian officials used this narrative to slow negotiations in the West on providing additional military aid to Ukraine and to undermine the resolve of Ukraine's partners. Russian officials are likely to reintroduce this narrative amid ongoing debates in the United States and Europe over further aid to Ukraine,” the experts concluded.
Read more about what a “dirty bomb” is and how to protect yourself from such weapons in the article .
