The West has long suspected Moscow of preparing a massive ‘false flag’ operation – conducting an attack but blaming the Ukrainians and then exploiting the carnage as a justification for further Russian escalation.
Russia has engaged in an extraordinary flurry of communication with the three nuclear powers of the West to make unfounded claims about a dirty bomb plot in Ukraine, amid fears of further escalation.
In the past 48 hours, Sergei Shoigu, Vladimir Putin’s defense minister, has spoken with his counterparts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, while General Valery Gerasimov, the Russian president’s top military officer, has separately spoken with his counterparts in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Allies vehemently deny Russia’s claim that Ukraine is preparing to deploy a “dirty bomb” on its territory, which it asserted during the conversations it initiated. A dirty bomb is an explosive device that contains radioactive elements.
The West has long suspected Moscow of preparing a massive ‘false flag’ operation – conducting an attack but blaming the Ukrainians and then exploiting the carnage as a justification for further Russian escalation.
The unexpected demand for discussion could be part of the process of introducing the concept of a dirty bomb before any planned drama.
At the same time, it may indicate that Moscow is attempting some type of resumed contact, or even negotiations, as its military suffers repeated battlefield setbacks at the hands of Ukraine’s military, armed with Western weapons, and as winter approaches.
Jens Stoltenberg, the chairman of NATO, stated on Monday that he had spoken with Lloyd Austin, the defense secretary of the United States, and Ben Wallace, the defense secretary of the United Kingdom, about “Russia’s erroneous accusation that Ukraine is planning to use a dirty bomb.”
Mr. Stoltenberg stated on Twitter that “NATO allies deny this assertion.” “Russia must not use this as an excuse to escalate tensions. We must maintain our unwavering support for Ukraine.”
Washington, London, and Paris also issued a rare unified statement regarding the engagement with Russia, underlining their “steadfast support” for Ukraine and highlighting Sunday’s discussions between Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu and French officials Austin, Wallace, and Sebastien Lecornu.
“Our countries have made it plain that we all reject Russia’s transparently false assertions that Ukraine is planning to use a dirty bomb on its territory,” the statement reads.
“Any attempt to exploit this claim as a pretext for escalation would fall flat in the eyes of the international community. Further, we reject any excuse for Russian aggression.”
On Monday, a day after the discussions with defense ministers, Russia’s General Gerasimov spoke with General Mark Milley, the highest military official in the United States, and separately with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the British defense command.
Admiral Radakin, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, “rejected Russia’s assertions that Ukraine is trying to intensify the conflict” and “reiterated the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
“The military chiefs agreed on the need of keeping open channels of communication between the United Kingdom and Russia to reduce the danger of miscalculation and assist de-escalation,” the statement continued.
