Russia, Ukraine trade dirty bomb accusations

Ukraine’s state-run nuclear energy operator said Tuesday that it believes Russian forces at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are planning a “terrorist act” using radioactive waste. The company said that 174 containers—each holding 24 assemblies of spent nuclear fuel—are at the plant. Energoatom said the destruction of those containers in an explosion would send nuclear waste across several hundred square kilometers of nearby land.

What does Russia have to say? Just days before Ukraine’s allegations, Russia accused Ukraine of planning a dirty bomb attack. A dirty bomb uses explosives to scatter nuclear material but is much smaller and less damaging than a nuclear bomb. Western countries and Ukraine have rejected Russia’s claims.

Dig deeper: Read Sharon Dierberger’s report in WORLD magazine about two former Soviet citizens who are using their faith, education, and experiences to help their homelands—despite the obstacles.