Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed on Sunday his concerns about Ukraine's provocations with his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecorny, saying that Kiev might resort to using a so-called dirty bomb, a conventional bomb that contains radioactive material.

"Shoigu conveyed to his French colleague his concerns about the possibility of provocations by Ukraine with the use of a 'dirty bomb,'" the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The phone call was focused on Ukraine, where the situation "has a steady tendency toward further and uncontrollable escalation," Moscow added.

Shoigu also held a phone call with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar to similarly voice his country's concerns about Ukraine's staging of a provocation using the dirty bomb, which is filled with radioactive materials.

What is a dirty bomb?

A dirty bomb is a speculative radiological weapon that combines radioactive material with conventional explosives. pic.twitter.com/icYVTWDk5O

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) October 23, 2022

"The situation in Ukraine was discussed. Gen. S.K. Shoigu conveyed to his Turkish colleague his concerns about possible 'dirty bomb' provocations by Ukraine," the ministry of defense said.

Shoigu also discussed the prospect of Ukraine using a dirty bomb with his British counterpart, Ben Wallace.

"The situation in Ukraine was discussed. Gen. S.K. Shoigu conveyed to his Turkish colleague his concerns about possible 'dirty bomb' provocations by Ukraine," said the Russian Defense Ministry.

Reports about Kiev preparing to use a dirty bomb in Ukraine to blame Russia for using nuclear weapons have been circulating for about a month now.

Sources familiar with the matter said Kiev was planning on carrying out provocations on its own land using what is called the "dirty bomb" or a low-power nuclear weapon, with the aim being to accuse Russia of using weapons of mass destruction, which would lead to a smear campaign against Moscow. 

With Western command, relayed the sources, Kiev has started practical application, the final stage, as a refinery in Dnepropetrovsk and the Kiev Institute for Nuclear Research are working on assembling the weapon. 

According to Al Mayadeen's correspondent to Crimea, Russia's forces are taking the necessary precautions after receiving intel and proof that Kiev has already started carrying out its plan. 

Konstantin Vorontsov, Deputy Director at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Arms Nonproliferation and Control, previously confirmed that Russia did not and does not threaten Kiev with using nuclear arms against it, while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov relayed that Ukraine is generating risks tied to using nuclear weapons of mass destruction which is clear from Zelensky's use of "nuclear first strike" indicating NATO's hit against Russia. 

US President Joe Biden doubted earlier in the month that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use a tactical nuclear weapon, as Kiev pleaded for a rapid increase in Western military aid.

This came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that Kiev creates risks associated with the use of weapons of mass destruction, which is also evidenced by the statement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about NATO's "preemptive" strikes on Russia.

Zelensky even underlined that NATO must carry out a preemptive strike against Russia instead of waiting for Russia's nuclear attacks. 

In light of that, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a speech to the Russian public that those who attempt to blackmail his country with nuclear weapons will find it coming back to bite them.