Russian, Indian defense chiefs discuss Ukrainian 'dirty bomb' over phone

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - After Moscow recently alleged that Kyiv could detonate an improvised nuclear device in Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu on Wednesday discussed these concerns with his Indian counterpart.

Shoygu discussed the matter in a phone call with Rajnath Singh, said a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry, which had claimed on Sunday that Ukraine was planning a provocation with a "dirty bomb," an explosive device with radioactive components.

In doing so, Kyiv intended to accuse Moscow of using nuclear weapons and prompt Western countries to retaliate, the ministry had claimed.

Sergey Shoygu has held several phone talks with the military chiefs of the US, France, and the UK in an effort to persuade them to influence Kyiv to refrain from using such a weapon.