Russian media cited an unnamed supply on Sunday as saying that Ukraine was near constructing a plutonium-based “soiled bomb” nuclear weapon, though the supply cited no proof.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, with the purpose to “demilitarise” and “denazify” its pro-Western neighbour and forestall Kyiv from becoming a member of NATO.
The West, dismissing that rationale as a pretext, has responded with harsh sanctions on Moscow and heavy navy and different help to Kyiv.
The TASS, RIA and Interfax information companies quoted “a consultant of a reliable physique” in Russia on Sunday as saying Ukraine was creating nuclear weapons on the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear energy plant that was shut down in 2000.
Ukraine‘s authorities has mentioned it had no plans to rejoin the nuclear membership, having given up its nuclear arms in 1994 following the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Shortly earlier than the invasion, Putin mentioned in a grievance-filled speech that Ukraine was utilizing Soviet know-how to create its personal nuclear weapons, and that this was tantamount to preparation for an assault on Russia.
He cited no proof for his declare.
(REUTERS)