Russia-Ukraine war: Know all about 'Dirty Bomb' that Russia alleges Ukraine is making
Russia-Ukraine War: Russian media on Sunday cited an unnamed source and claimed that Ukraine was close to making a plutonium-based "dirty bomb" nuclear weapon. The sources, however, provided no evidence.
On Sunday, Russian news agencies TASS, RIA and Interfax quoted "a representative of a competent body" saying Ukraine was building nuclear weapons at the Chernobyl nuclear power station, which was shut down in 2000.
Notably, Ukraine's administration has stated that it has no intentions to rejoin the nuclear club after giving up its nuclear weapons in 1994 when the Soviet Union collapsed.
Putin, however, said in a resentful speech shortly before the invasion that Ukraine was using Soviet know-how to build its own nuclear weapons, and that this was tantamount to preparing for an attack on Russia.
What is Dirty Bomb?
A dirty bomb is a mix of explosives, such as dynamite, plus radioactive powder or pellets, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When dynamite or other explosives are detonated, radioactive material is released into the surrounding area.
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The terms 'dirty bomb' and 'radiological dispersal device' (RDD) are interchangeable.
According to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, most RDDs would not emit enough radiation to kill people or cause serious illness; the conventional explosion would be more dangerous to people than the radioactive material. An RDD explosion, however, could cause panic and fear, as well as contaminate property and necessitate potentially costly cleanup.
What is difference between Dirty Bomb and Nuclear Bomb?
A dirty bomb is not a nuclear bomb since a nuclear bomb produces explosion millions of times stronger than a dirty bomb. "A nuclear bomb's cloud of radiation may spread thousands of square miles, whereas the radiation from a dirty bomb could be scattered within a few blocks or miles of the detonation."
A dirty bomb is not a "weapon of mass destruction," but rather a "weapon of mass disruption," with contamination and panic as the primary goals, according to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's official website.
Dangers of a Dirty Bomb
According to the CDC, the major threat posed by a dirty bomb is the explosion, which can result in significant injuries and property damage. Except for individuals who are extremely close to the detonation site, the radioactive materials used in a dirty bomb are unlikely to provide enough radiation exposure to induce immediate severe sickness. However, if inhaled, the radioactive dust and smoke that is dispersed in the environment might create health complications.
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-PTC News
