The threat of a Ukrainian false flag detonation of a “dirty bomb” in or near the southern port city of Nikolaev is very real, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Specifically, Minister Shoigu stated that the UK—currently reeling from one government to the next, most recently to the Raj’s Revenge—is assisting Ukraine in this scheme:
Russia Warns Of 'Dirty Bomb' False Flag Plot In Flurry Of Rare Calls To Western Leaders
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed in rare phone calls that included his counterparts from the United States, Britain, France, and Turkey that Ukrainian forces are preparing a "provocation" with a radioactive device. A Kremlin statement cited that he conveyed a warning over "possible Ukrainian provocations involving a 'dirty bomb'".
Shoigu's office said in follow-up that he conveyed the warning to all the above-named countries' defense chiefs. As for his conversation with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, it was the second phone call in merely three days. The Pentagon in the hours after said Austin told Shoigu he "rejected any pretext for Russian escalation" - which strongly suggests the US perceives that Moscow is about to heighten attacks on Ukrainian cities further:
Russian authorities repeatedly have made allegations that Ukraine could detonate a dirty bomb in a false flag attack and blame it on Moscow. Ukrainian authorities, in turn, have accused the Kremlin of hatching such a plan.
The Kremlin is further charging that this low-intensity nuclear provocation is being prepared with the help of Great Britain; however, the Western allies have said no evidence whatsoever was presented in the phone calls alongside the accusations.
“No evidence” is sort of a classic non-denial denial—or, actually, not even a denial.
The UK defense ministry said in its statement following Shoigu's phone call with Secretary Ben Wallace that the Russian side "alleged that Ukraine was planning actions facilitated by Western countries, including the UK, to escalate the conflict in Ukraine."
"The Defense Secretary refuted these claims and cautioned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for greater escalation," the ministry said.
Russia is saying that such a 'dirty bomb' detonation, which would spread radioactive waste and potentially contaminate large urban areas, would then be blamed on Moscow in order to justify greater Western intervention.
So, the collective West has responded:
Well, Luongo’s formulation is interesting. Who needs a war, and who needs a settlement? Is it possible for the same party to need both simultaneously—or what? It’s far from a simple of posing the issue and can be argued in multiple ways. What’s interesting to note, in the meantime, is that this “Joint Statement on Ukraine” was issued by “the Foreign Ministers of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States”. They reiterate their “steadfast support” for Ukraine. As it happens, however, Shoigu had also been in contact with another NATO country, Turkey. The statement above does not claim to speak for all NATO countries, and notably fails to include significant members such as Turkey, or Germany, or Italy. Various questions inevitably arise: Whose war on Russia is this? Who does NATO really represent? Is there an inner NATO circle that calls the shots? What does this tell us “going forward”?
Also notable, even if it amounts to boilerplate, is the UK/FR/US triumvirate’s claim that “the world will see through” any dirty bomb event and will blame it on a Russian desire to “escalate.” Beyond the obvious fact that Russia has already escalated significantly, with its infrastructure destruction campaign, this rhetoric smells very much like the “history is on our side” boilerplate of all “progressives.” The statement stands as a bare “rejection” of Russia’s concerns, with no claim to have investigated the matter or to possess evidence to the contrary. As such, it comes across as propagandistic in tone and intent.
A useful reminder:
Just look at Stoltenberg's CV... The usual suspects.
Ben Wallace was quoted as saying it was absurd to suggest Ukraine would set off a dirty bomb and that Russia should not use such an excuse to escalate the war.
I could be way off but my interpretation is he was speaking 'politicese' - I read it to mean Russia has called them out and this is their way of sending the message to Russia that Ukr won't do the bomb thing but said in such a way that they don't lose face. Language within language.