Categories: Russia

Accusations of “dirty bombs” in Ukraine: the IAEA announces the start of its inspections

These investigations are carried out at the express request of Ukraine, accused by Moscow of preparing a radiological weapon in the greatest secrecy.

A man installs the United Nations flag on a vehicle chartered for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, on September 1, 2022. (GENYA SAVILOV / AFP)

It is an extremely sensitive mission. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on Monday October 31 that its teams had begun, at the request of Ukraine, new inspections in this country which Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused of erasing evidence. preparation of a “dirty bomb” – a term which generally refers to an explosive device containing diverted radioactive materials.

Two Ukrainian sites are thus concerned, said the IAEA on Twitter, without specifying either the nature or the location of these points of interest. The conclusions of this investigation are expected “later in the week” and will be communicated by the director general of the agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA said in its press release.

Allegations dismissed outright

Since October 23, when Russia began issuing these “dirty bomb” accusations, Ukraine and its allies have been crying lies and blackmail. “Nobody would be fooled” if Moscow used this argument for an escalation of the conflict, for example reacted Washington, Paris and London, in a joint press release. India and China have chosen not to react to alerts from Russia, which claims to have sent them its “evidence”.

On Monday, October 31, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in turn strongly rejected Russia’s accusations. After speaking with Volodymyr Zelensky for two hours by phone, the German leader said he has confidence in the IAEA, believing that its ongoing inspections will help to remove doubts about the use of radioactive materials in the Ukrainian counter-offensive .

Dispatches

Share
Published by
Dispatches
Tags: Russia

Recent Posts

Ban of X in Brazil: the Duel between Elon Musk and a Supreme Court Judge

Ban of X in Brazil: the Duel between Elon Musk and a Supreme Court Judge…

2 weeks ago

Battle Against Invasive Pythons in Florida’s Everglades

Battle Against Invasive Pythons in Florida's Everglades In the United States, the state of Florida…

2 weeks ago

Humanity Needs More Free Time

Humanity Needs More Free Time Former President of Uruguay, José Mujica, expressed in an interview…

2 weeks ago

Protests, Massive Arrests, One Month After Nicolas Maduro’s Contested Re-election, Venezuela Continues to Descend into Chaos

Protests, Massive Arrests, One Month After Nicolas Maduro's Contested Re-election, Venezuela Continues to Descend into…

2 weeks ago

We will go all the way!

"We will go all the way!" : In Venezuela, one month after Nicolas Maduro's contested…

2 weeks ago

Electric Aircraft Milestone: A Leap Forward in Sustainable Aviation Technology

Electric Aircraft Milestone: A Leap Forward in Sustainable Aviation Technology The Netherlands recently made history…

3 months ago