Despite a lack of evidence, Russia maintains the allegation that Ukraine intends to detonate a radioactive bomb. The Chancellor firmly denies the accusations that the investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency will remove any doubt. These have now started.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the allegations made by Russia that Ukraine is preparing to use a “dirty bomb” as “resolutely unfounded”. This was announced by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit after a phone call from Scholz to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “The Federal Chancellor agreed with the Ukrainian President that the independent investigations initiated by the Ukrainian side by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would remove any doubts about this,” Hebestreit explained.
According to the IAEA, it has now started its investigations in Ukraine into Russian allegations of “dirty bombs”. Inspectors have started “auditing activities” in two locations in Ukraine and will soon complete them, the statement said. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi wanted to announce the results of his investigations this week. The investigations follow a written request from Kyiv.
Russia had claimed that Kyiv was planning to detonate a radioactive bomb to discredit Moscow. The Western nuclear powers and Ukraine have dismissed the claim. Such a “dirty bomb” would consist of radioactive material released with conventional explosives.
According to Hebestreit, Scholz said in the phone call with Selenskyj that Germany would not let up in providing concrete political, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine and in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, “including arms deliveries.” The Chancellor condemned the “continued targeted shelling” of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine by the Russian armed forces. In addition, Scholz and Selenskyj had called for the implementation and extension of the grain agreement under the aegis of the United Nations not to be jeopardized in order not to further burden the global food situation.
According to his own statements, Selenskyj thanked Scholz again for the Iris-T air defense system, which had already proven itself very well. In his evening video speech, Selensky said that other ways in which Germany could support Ukraine had been discussed. The main focus is on the renewal of the Ukrainian infrastructure after the destruction by Russian air raids.
