Ukraine accused of preparing to use 'dirty bomb', 'Russia's excuse'

 The US, UK and France have rejected Russia's claim that Ukraine is preparing to use a 'dirty bomb'.

According to the French news agency AFP, the three countries have warned Moscow not to use any pretext to escalate the conflict.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had alleged a possible 'dirty bomb' attack during a telephone conversation with Western defense chiefs.

The US State Department said in a joint statement with the British and French governments that "our countries made it clear that we all reject Russia's false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use dirty bombs on its soil."

The statement said the world would see the accusation as a pretext to escalate aggression.

A dirty bomb is designed to contaminate a large area with radioactive material that is dangerous to civilians. This bomb does not involve a nuclear explosion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned Russia's claims, calling the accusation a Russian ploy to attack his Prussians in the Battle of Moscow.

In his video address on social media, he said that the world should react as strongly as possible. If Russia says that Ukraine is allegedly preparing something, it means that Russia has already prepared it all.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held telephonic contacts with Britain, France and Turkey.

"In a telephone conversation, Sergei Shoigu expressed concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of dirty bombs," the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

It should be remembered that Ukraine had claimed that Russia attacked the capital Kiev using Iran-made Shahid 136 drones, but Iran denied supplying the drones to Russia.

Britain, France and Germany have demanded a UN investigation into allegations that Russia used Iranian-made drones to attack Ukraine.