Both Ukraine and the United States have disputed the claim.

Over the weekend, as conflict continues between Ukraine and Russia, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu released an unusual statement. According to Shoigu’s statement, Ukraine is planning on deploying a dirty bomb (a bomb made of conventional explosives and loose radioactive material) in its own territory and blaming Russia for it. Shoigu did not provide proof of these allegations.

In response, Ukraine, with the backing of the United States, has disputed and dismissed Russia’s claims as a half-baked attempt to fabricate an excuse for its own war escalations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the claims as “transparently false,” and that Shoigu is only using the dirty bomb claims to sew conflict during calls with western defense ministers. These ministers, including US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, stand firmly with Ukraine on the matter.

“Secretary Austin rejected any pretext for Russian escalation and reaffirmed the value of continued communication amid Russia’s unlawful and unjustified war against Ukraine,” the Defense Department’s press secretary, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, said in a statement.

“We reject reports of Minister Shoigu’s transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory,” Watson said in a statement. “The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation.”