‘Dirty bomb and second Chornobyl’: Russia’s nuclear fear mongering and false accusation of Ukraine

On the morning of August 6, Ukrainian soldiers, equipped with heavy weaponry, crossed the Ukrainian-Russian border and entered the Kursk region. This unexpected operation caught the world off guard as Kyiv's forces reportedly seized over 1,000 square kilometers and numerous settlements. 

Ukraine's incursion into the Russian Kursk region had an immediate and profound impact, boosting Ukrainian public morale and altering the narrative among Ukraine's international partners. It also dismantled the perception of a "stalemate" in the war, revealing Putin's lack of control and poor management, as well as breaking down the "red lines" and the myth of an "undefeatable Russia."

Struggling with the unexpected setback, Russia has reverted to one of its favored tactics: spreading false accusations targeting Ukraine and fear among Western allies while attempting to tarnish Ukraine's reputation by projecting its own actions onto Kyiv and portraying itself as the victim. 

Russia’s false accusations over ‘second Chornobyl’ target Ukraine

On August 17, Russia's Defense Ministry alleged that Ukraine is planning an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant. This claim followed reports from several Russian state-controlled media outlets (RT, Sputnik), which suggested that Ukrainian forces were also planning attacks on the Kursk nuclear power plant and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine’s Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhya region.

The border town of Sudzha, which Ukrainian forces earlier captured as part of Kyiv's ongoing incursion into the region, is about 80 kilometers from the Kursk power plant. Russian media reported that Russia is constructing defensive lines to defend the Kursk plant as Ukrainian troops advance.

Various Kremlin-aligned media and influencers in the western world quickly picked up the narrative.

The recent article by a French-language outlet, Mondialisation.ca, on the escalating situation in southern Russia provides a complex web of narratives regarding the situation in the Kursk region. We have revealed several key narratives, including Ukrainian aggression and sabotage, Western involvement and support, the impending nuclear catastrophe, and criticism of Ukrainian leadership.

The article boldly asserts that Ukraine's operations in the Kursk region aim to seize and sabotage the Kursk nuclear power plant, situated in the city of Kurchatov. The text states, "According to recent reports, the real target of the attack on the Kursk region is a Ukrainian attempt to seize the Kurchatov nuclear power plant and sabotage it." This portrayal frames Ukraine’s actions as a direct threat to nuclear safety, emphasizing a dangerous and reckless strategy.

Further supporting this narrative, the text mentions that Ukraine might be considering using the Kursk plant as leverage: “Ukraine is considering seizing the Kursk plant... to begin blackmailing Moscow and to conduct a possible exchange for the Zaporizhzhia plant.” This assertion suggests that Ukraine’s military operations are driven by objectives aimed at forcing concessions from Russia rather than purely defensive ambitions.

A significant portion of the article focuses on the alleged involvement and support of Western nations, particularly the United States, in Ukraine’s actions. The text cites a statement from the US State Department labeling the attack on Kursk as a "sovereign matter of Ukraine" and notes that "the US administration is consulting with Ukrainian authorities about the attack by the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region." This involvement is further emphasized by mentioning the equipment used by Ukrainian forces, including "American Stryker wheeled armored personnel carriers and German Marder infantry fighting vehicles.”

The article claims that the United States is directly involved in and supportive of Ukrainian actions in Kursk, framing it as a form of Western-backed terrorism. The article emphasizes the use of NATO equipment in the war, portraying Ukraine as a puppet of the West.

In the article, the fear of a new nuclear catastrophe is a particularly alarmist narrative. The text warns that the incursion could lead to a disaster similar to the Chornobyl incident, describing the potential consequences as a “new nuclear catastrophe, a kind of 'Chornobyl of the 21st century,' with the death of thousands of civilians.” This narrative leverages historical trauma to amplify fears about the current situation, suggesting that Ukraine’s actions could precipitate a severe environmental and humanitarian crisis.

The article supports this fear with the claim that “Ukrainian missiles have been repeatedly shot down over Kurchatov (where the Kursk nuclear power plant is located) over the past two days.” 

Finally, the pro-Kremlin propaganda article demonizes the Ukrainian leadership, labeling it as a “neo-Nazi regime.” This narrative is exemplified by the statement: “This situation clearly shows the brutal and misanthropic nature of the neo-Nazi regime, which can only be reversed by a Russian military victory.” 

These terms are nothing new; Russia has long used the “neo-Nazi” label to demonize Ukraine and thus justify its war of aggression. By invoking historical fears and depicting Ukraine as a major threat, Russia aims to bolster its position and undermine international support for Kyiv.

The term “Russia’s new territories” is also used to refer to Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, reinforcing Russia’s narrative of annexation. 

Russian fake: Ukraine to “detonate a dirty bomb”

To further support the “second Chornobyl” narrative, Russian propaganda has circulated false claims that Ukraine and the West are plotting to detonate a dirty bomb, aiming to incite a nuclear conflict. The Kremlin made similar allegations about a dirty bomb as early as 2022, during the first year of the invasion.

RT and Sputnik have been pivotal in propagating this disinformation campaign.

One of the RT articles claims that Ukraine could intentionally target the Kursk nuclear power plant, causing a nuclear disaster. The article leverages the supposed authority of Stanislav Krapivnik, a former US Army officer, to lend credibility to the claims. By presenting an "expert" who speaks to the technical details of nuclear meltdowns and the risks involved, the narrative gains a veneer of legitimacy. Krapivnik frames his speculative and non verifiable evidence-based predictions and warnings as credible threats, thereby creating a misleading narrative.

The article subtly prepares the ground for potential Russian military actions by stating that the Russian Defense Ministry would respond to any attempts to create a "man-made disaster." This sets the stage for justifying future escalations or aggressive moves by Russia under the guise of preventing a catastrophe.

The reference to "tough military and military-technical countermeasures" reinforces the idea that Russia is acting in defense of not just its own territory but also the broader European region. It also extends the impact beyond Russia, suggesting that fallout would affect many European nations, thereby implicating Ukraine as a threat not just to Russia but to the entire continent.

The narrative implicitly blames Western governments, suggesting that they are indifferent to the potential fallout that could affect their own populations. The portrayal of Western indifference is a common tactic used by Russian propaganda to undermine trust in Western leadership and create a divide between European citizens and their governments.

It also feeds into the broader Russian narrative that the West is complicit in or supportive of Ukrainian aggression, further justifying Russian defensive or retaliatory actions.

Other RT articles follow a similar formula. The article discussing comments by Gunnar Beck, an ex-MEP, particularly from a party known for its eurosceptic and often pro-Russian stances, on Ukraine's alleged plans to use a "dirty bomb" with Western assistance is another example. 

The narrative about Ukraine planning to use a "dirty bomb" and blaming Russia for it is consistent with previous Russian disinformation efforts. It serves to paint Ukraine as the aggressor while simultaneously positioning Russia as the victim of international conspiracies.

Sputnik's "reports" on Ukraine's purported plans follow the same tactics:

• Kiev préparerait une frappe à la bombe sale sur les stocks de combustible d'une centrale nucléaire
• Moscou alerte sur les risques pour l’Europe des provocations de Kiev contre des sites nucléaires
• Rosatom: Les actions de Kiev peuvent causer un dommage irréparable à l'industrie mondiale nucléaire

The articles repeatedly suggest that Ukraine is planning to attack the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants, which would result in catastrophic consequences for the region and Europe. The Kremlin propaganda, employing fear tactics, blame shifting, and the portrayal of Ukraine as a reckless and dangerous actor under Western influence, tries to undermine Ukraine's support and Europe's unity.

Pro-Russian influence agent and blogger Kim Dotcom has also promoted this narrative, stating:
“Ukraine plans to detonate dirty bombs with nuclear material in Russia.  Intelligence services claim that Zelenskyy and his Western backers provoke nuclear war. Who asked Americans and Europeans if they are ok with this? Reckless leaders will get you killed.”

Additionally, the Russian state agency TASS has spread a statement from another influence agent suggesting that the West, using Kyiv as a proxy, plans to detonate a dirty bomb. This follows the same narrative as the previously mentioned articles:

• TASS: Masters of Kyiv Should Take Seriously Data on Its Provocation with 'Dirty Bomb'

English-language pro-Russian publications have picked up and spread the false claim about dirty bombs:

• SGT Report: Ukraine Plans to Detonate Dirty Bombs
• Oriental Review: Ukrainian Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants
• Zero Hedge: Why Might Ukraine Want Russia to Use Nuclear Weapons

Similarly, French-language pro-Russian outlets have also spread this disinformation:

• Observateur Continental: L'Ukraine et le Terrorisme Nucléaire
• Riposte Laïque: Poutine et les Négociations
• Les Moutons Enragés: L'Ukraine et le Terrorisme Nucléaire
• Le Courrier des Stratèges: Après l'Attaque Occidentale à Koursk

Russian propaganda Telegram channels, which target English-speaking audiences, have also widely circulated the false claim:

• https://t.me/rybar_in_english/17039
• https://t.me/Slavyangrad/106181
• https://t.me/geopolitics_live/31088
• https://t.me/infodefENGLAND/22902
• https://t.me/IntelRepublic/40575

“Zelenskyy's nuclear blackmail”

The Russian Pravda disinformation network in Europe has been accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of "engaging in nuclear blackmail."

The central narrative is that Ukraine, under Zelenskyy’s leadership, is engaging in "nuclear blackmail," with the intent of provoking Russia into a disproportionate response, possibly even a nuclear strike. This accusation is unfounded and serves to depict Ukraine as the aggressor while the nation is defending itself against Russian invasion.

The article suggests that attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are part of this strategy, further escalating the narrative of Ukraine’s reckless behavior.

Another Pravda article is making unsubstantiated claims about Ukraine’s possession and use of chemical and radiological weapons. The article seeks to portray Ukraine as a dangerous aggressor while positioning Russia as a responsible actor in the conflict. 

Yet Russia itself has a long history of leveraging nuclear threats and rhetoric to exert pressure on the global community. For years, Russia has employed its nuclear capabilities as a tool of intimidation, using the threat of nuclear escalation to influence international politics and secure strategic advantages.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has already seen the seizure of at least three nuclear facilities: a research reactor in Sevastopol during the 2014 annexation of Crimea (which remains non-operational), the capture and later liberation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the spring of 2022, and the ongoing occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant for over two years.

The Ukrainian government dismissed Russian propaganda claims about alleged Ukrainian plans to use "dirty bombs" or attack nuclear power plants in Russian territory. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement denying these allegations.

Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated, "We are witnessing yet another wave of absurd Russian propaganda about supposed Ukrainian intentions to use 'dirty bombs' or target nuclear power plants. We officially refute these baseless reports. Ukraine neither intends nor has the capability to carry out such actions. Russia must cease spreading these hazardous falsehoods."

Tykhyi emphasized that Ukraine remains a staunch signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, does not possess any "dirty bombs," and has no plans to obtain them. He reminded us that when Russia first propagated these claims in 2022, Ukraine invited an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission, which thoroughly disproved the allegations, and the situation remains unchanged.

Russia's objectives are multi-faceted and strategically aimed at shifting the focus away from its shortcomings in Kursk, justifying its military aggression against Ukraine, and manipulating public perception. By engaging in a campaign to demonize Ukraine, Russia seeks to undermine the international community's support for Kyiv and discredit Ukrainian actions.

Simultaneously, Russia is attempting to falsely accuse both Ukraine and Western nations of employing nuclear blackmail tactics, despite the fact that Moscow has been using these aggressive strategies itself. This diversionary tactic serves to distract from Russia’s failures and bolster its narrative that portrays its actions as defensive rather than aggressive.