Western countries have rejected Russia's allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a "dirty bomb", warning Moscow against escalation, while Russia continues to target Ukrainian energy networks amid battles on several fronts.

Early this morning, a joint US-French-British statement was issued, which said, "We reject Russia's false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its soil."

"We reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and we are determined to continue our support for Ukraine's efforts to defend its territory as long as necessary," the statement added.

The term "dirty bomb" is primarily used for a radioactive bomb, but it also describes any explosive weapons that dispense a chemical or biological toxic substance, which is not a "weapon of mass destruction" but a "weapon of mass disturbance", as pollution and spreading panic are the main objectives of its use.

Russian accusations

And the Russian Defense Ministry announced yesterday that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed by phone with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin the situation in Ukraine, in the second call between them in two days.

As for the US Department of Defense (Pentagon), it said that Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Russian counterpart in a phone call that he "rejects any pretext for Russian escalation" in Ukraine.

In this context, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Shoigu expressed, in a telephone conversation with his French and British counterparts, Moscow's concern about the possibility of Kyiv using radioactive bombs.

On the other hand, the British Ministry of Defense said that British Defense Minister Ben Wallace refuted the allegations of his Russian counterpart about Kyiv's pursuit of escalation, and warned that it would be a pretext for a greater escalation.

The Russian Defense Ministry also announced that Shoigu expressed to his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar Moscow's concern about the possibility of Kyiv using radioactive bombs.

According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, Akar confirmed during a call with Shoigu Turkey's readiness to work again to reach a ceasefire.

Ukrainian condemnation

On the other hand, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that what he described as Russian lies about Ukraine's planning to use a dirty bomb, as he described it, are absurd and dangerous.

He added, in a tweet on Twitter, that his country is committed to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, pointing out that his country does not have dirty bombs and does not plan to obtain any of them.

Kuleba also said that Russia often accuses others of what it is planning to do, as he put it.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister added that he agreed, during a telephone conversation with his American counterpart, Anthony Blinken, that the "Russian disinformation campaign" about the dirty bomb might be a pretext for an operation that Moscow was preparing for, and said that Blinken stressed that his country would spare no effort in the framework of practical steps to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses.

As for Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, he rejected Russian accusations about the possible use of bombs mixed with nuclear materials, and demanded a "harsh" response to Moscow.

"If anyone can use nuclear weapons in this part of Europe, it is only one source, and it was this source who ordered Comrade Shoigu to call here or there," Zelensky said in his evening video message.

Earlier, White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement that the United States rejects the "clearly false allegations of Minister Shoigu that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its soil."

And she warned that "the world would not be stupid if an attempt was made to use this claim as a pretext for an escalation."

field escalation

On the ground, the Ukrainian president said that Russia had carried out large-scale strikes targeting energy networks.

The Ukrainian army continues its attempts to regain control of more areas in Kharkiv Province, where fighting is taking place in the southern part of the province in eastern Ukraine.

On the other hand, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the repulsion of attacks by Ukrainian forces on the Kherson, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv axes.

The ministry added that its forces continued to launch attacks on Ukraine's energy networks and military infrastructure.

The pro-Russian local authorities in Luhansk said that the Ukrainian army targeted several areas, including Robyzhny, with US Hemars missiles.

Roman Starovit, governor of the Russian province of Kursk, which borders Ukraine, also announced the construction of two defense lines in the province to counter a possible attack by Ukrainian forces.