Ukraine and its allies have labelled Russian claims that Ukraine is preparing to use ‘dirty bombs’ – devices that use explosives to scatter radioactive waste – “as absurd as they are dangerous”. President Volodymyr Zelensky responded saying Russia is the only nation willing to use nuclear weapons in Europe. The US has called Russia’s claims a “false flag operation” to lay the groundwork for their own escalation of the war. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu started the dirty bomb rumour during calls with his counterparts in the UK, US, France and Turkey without offering any evidence. Analysts say the accusations paint the picture of an increasingly desperate Kremlin that’s continuing to suffer military defeats as Ukrainian troops regain ground in the east and south through successful counter-offensive operations.