Ukrainian military, April 27, 2023.
Washington – The United States is building a network of radiation sensors in Ukraine that, in the event of an attack with a nuclear weapon or a so-called dirty bomb find out who was behind it. It was written by The New York Times (NYT), according to which one of the main goals of these efforts is that in the event that Russia detonates a radioactive weapon on Ukrainian territory, it would be possible to clearly prove its guilt.
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Experts have worried since the start of Russia's invasion last February that Russian President Vladimir Putin was prepared to use nuclear weapons in combat, which would be the first time since the United States used them in the war against Japan in 1945. According to the newspaper, the current preparations are the clearest evidence so far that Washington is taking concrete steps to prepare even for this worst possible scenario of a Russian war against Ukraine.
One of the specialized departments of the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) confirmed to the newspaper that it is building a network of atomic sensors “across the region” that will be able to “determine the size, location and effects of any nuclear explosion”, thereby preventing Russia from using nuclear weapons in Ukraine , without realizing that it was behind the attack.
This would come into play, for example, if Moscow falsely accused Kiev of detonating a nuclear weapon. Concerns that Russia could use nuclear weapons have been repeatedly raised by some of the statements of the Russian president and, for example, last year's unsubstantiated claim by Moscow that Ukraine is assembling a dirty bomb, i.e. one that after detonation will contaminate the surrounding area with radioactive material using the explosion of a conventional explosive.
The NYT also previously reported that Russian military commanders discussed the possibility of using a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine last October. Washington has repeatedly warned against this. According to him, such a step would be a “serious mistake” and would mean consequences for Russia.
The newly installed sensors would also serve in the event of an emergency at one of the nuclear power plants on the territory of Ukraine. Their information could be used, for example, to better protect the public.
