Russia has once again accused Ukraine of working on a “dirty bomb.” This is far from the first time this accusation has been flung, and so far, Ukraine hasn’t used such a weapon. Is Russia crying wolf?

Three years ago, Russia issued a warning that Ukraine was plotting the use of a “dirty bomb” in an attack that would be used as a false flag. None of these warnings actually came to fruition.

Russia Warns The West That Ukraine is Plotting A False Flag “Dirty Bomb” Attack

Now, new threats of a dirty bomb are once again sparking concern internationally. While speaking at a briefing on Thursday, Major General Aleksey Rtishchev, the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, warned that Ukraine is engaging in what he described as “nuclear blackmail,” saying its actions pose serious security and environmental risks.

Rtishchev said shipments of spent radioactive fuel were transported through Poland and Romania without notifying the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

”This creates the risk of creating a so-called ‘dirty bomb’ and then using it ‘under a false flag,’” Rtishchev said, an allegation that has been previously made. A dirty bomb does not cause a nuclear explosion but disperses radioactive material over a wide area, creating severe contamination and long-term danger to civilians, according to a report by RT. 

He added that the operation was overseen by Andrey Yermak, a former senior aide to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. Yermak resigned last month after being linked to a major energy-sector corruption scandal involving Zelensky’s close associates, although he was not formally charged. –RT

Rtishchev stressed that Western assistance is encouraging Kiev to violate international nuclear regulations. The “Western patrons fail to take into account that the degradation of the system of state administration is capable of pushing not only Ukraine, but also a number of European states, to the brink of an environmental catastrophe,” he said.

In June of 2023, Russia once again claimed that Ukraine had considered using a dirty bomb attack.

Russia Claims Ukraine Considered Using A “Dirty Bomb” Attack

And then earlier this year, in February, Russia made the accusation again.

Russia Accuses Ukraine Of Planning To Use A “Dirty Bomb”

It’s starting to look like Russia is using propaganda to push a certain narrative. With repeated warnings such as these, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s actually happening. Since there’s no evidence yet that Kiev did use a dirty bomb, it seems like Russia is crying wolf.