Russian media, officials spreading disinformation about Ukraine's plans to use 'dirty bomb'

That's according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukrinform reports.

In particular, Russia's Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, held phone calls with Defense Ministers Sebastien Lecornu of France, Hulusi Akar of Turkey, and Ben Wallace of Britain. According to Russia's Ministry of Defense, in all three conversations, Shoigu "expressed concern" in connection with the alleged possible use of a "dirty bomb" by Ukraine.

Prior to that, Russia's state propaganda news agency RIA Novosti published an article (the article has a double date: "September 23" in the text and "08:00 23.10.2022" in the original data, i.e. 8 o'clock in the morning on October 23), which, citing "credible sources in various countries," states that the alleged work on the bomb "is already at the final stage" and that allegedly "secret contacts are being made with British representatives regarding the possible transfer of nuclear weapon components to the Kyiv authorities."

Russia's Ministry of Defense, reporting on the Shoigu-Lecornu call, said both parties discussed the situation in Ukraine, "rapidly deteriorating and trending towards uncontrolled escalation." According to French Ministry of Defense, Lecornu said that Paris is in favor of a peaceful settlement of the conflict and that France will not be involved in any escalation in Ukraine, in particular with the use of nuclear weapons. Lecornu confirmed that Shoigu had spoken to him about a "dirty bomb."

Akar and Wallace have not yet commented on their calls with Shoigu.

Accusations from Russia come amid reports that Russian troops may leave the right-bank part of the Kherson region.

A "dirty bomb" is a conventional bomb that contains radioactive material.