Recently, the "dirty bomb" has become the focus of public opinion war among all parties involved in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov announced on the 24th local time that Russia has specific information about Ukraine’s scientific institutions that manufacture "dirty bombs". Russia has repeatedly checked through various relevant channels, and Russia has every reason to believe that the use of "dirty bombs" is already in Ukraine’s plan.
Ukraine has repeatedly denied the Russian accusation. On 24th, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said that he had formally invited the International Atomic Energy Agency to send experts to Ukraine immediately to verify Russia’s false accusation that Ukraine was developing a "dirty bomb". The United States, Britain and France issued a joint statement saying that they "rejected" Russia’s "obviously false accusation" that Ukraine was preparing to use "dirty bombs" and accused Russia of this accusation as "an excuse to escalate the situation".
What is a "dirty bomb"? Power geometry? How do the parties to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict view the "dirty bomb"?
Can a "dirty bomb" produce a nuclear explosion?
Reuters reported on 25th that the "dirty bomb" is not a nuclear weapon and will not produce a nuclear explosion that will destroy the city.
"Dirty bomb" is a conventional explosive device containing radioactive materials, which is much less powerful than nuclear weapons, but once it explodes, it will cause the diffusion of radioactive materials. The Wall Street Journal quoted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as saying that after the "dirty bomb" exploded, "radiation may spread within a few blocks or miles."
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also pointed out that explosives in "dirty bombs" are more likely to cause harm to humans than radioactive materials. The "dirty bomb" is not a weapon to cause the greatest damage, but a tool to "create fear and panic and pollute property".
According to Reuters, the direct health impact of the "dirty bomb" explosion on human beings may be limited, because most people in the affected areas can escape before experiencing a lethal dose of radiation. However, after the "dirty bomb" exploded, the economic loss may be huge because the city had to be evacuated or even abandoned.
Has the "dirty bomb" been used?
CNN reported on 25th that up to now, there is no record of "dirty bomb" being used.
The American Council on Foreign Relations said that in 1995, during the first Chechen war, Chechen militants placed a "dirty bomb" in a park in Moscow, Russia, but failed to detonate it.
According to the report, there are also reports that extremist organizations such as Al Qaeda or Islamic State have made or tried to make "dirty bombs", but none of them have been detonated.
IAEA enters Ukraine to check the "dirty bomb" doubt cloud.
In response to Russia’s "dirty bomb" accusation, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on the 24th that at the request of Ukraine, IAEA will send inspectors to two nuclear facilities in Ukraine in the next few days. Both nuclear facilities have been inspected by IAEA before, one of which took place a month ago.
According to "Voice of America" reported on October 24th, IAEA Director-General Grossi confirmed that in the inspection a month ago, "all the findings were in line with Ukrainian security statement … … No undeclared nuclear activities or materials were found. " Grossi also said that both facilities are protected by IAEA, and the IAEA sends staff to inspect them regularly.
The IAEA did not specify which two facilities will be inspected, but according to RIA, the two nuclear facilities are located in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, and Dnepropetrovsk in the east.
According to the British "Guardian" reported on October 24, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg refuted Russia’s statement that the accusation that Ukraine used "dirty bombs" on its territory was "absurd".