Russia's accusation that Ukraine plans to use "dirty bomb" is absurd: Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday during a joint media availability with Romania’s prime minister that Russia’s accusation that Ukraine plans to use a "dirty bomb" - a "dirty bomb" - a bomb laced with radioactive material - is “absurd,” adding that Moscow “must not use false pretexts to escalate the war.”

The comments come a day after Stoltenberg made similar comments while on a trip to a U.S. aircraft carrier stationed in the Adriatic Sea, in which he called the allegations “transparently false.”

Stoltenberg echoed comments from the U.S. warning Russia of “severe consequences” for any use of nuclear weapons.

“Putin’s nuclear rhetoric is dangerous and it is reckless and irresponsible. Any use of a nuclear weapon in Ukraine will fundamentally change the nature of the conflict,” he said.

Moscow’s allegations follow hints from Russia that it might be forced to use a tactical nuclear weapon against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the allegations against his country show Russia is planning such an attack and will seek to blame Kyiv.

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