[REGNUM] After the attack of Ukrainian drones on the Kremlin, another attack began on social networks, informational: an openly fake stuff was circulated that Russia would launch a nuclear strike on Ukraine in response to the raid. And before the attack, a reputable and well-informed publication reported that the United States is installing equipment on Ukrainian territory that can detect the use of nuclear or radiological weapons (“dirty bombs”).
American specialists are installing sensors in Ukraine "that can detect bursts of radiation from nuclear weapons or dirty bombs."
"Part of the goal is to make sure that if Russia uses a radioactive weapon on Ukrainian soil, the atomic signature (of that weapon) and Moscow's fault can be verified." Information about this appeared in The New York Times on April 28.
The authors of the publication emphasized that at the current stage of the conflict in Ukraine, "experts are worried about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will use nuclear weapons in combat for the first time since the American bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945."
Less than a week after the publication of the placement of atomic sensors in Ukraine, on May 3, unknown drones attacked the official residence of the Russian president, the Moscow Kremlin. According to a statement by law enforcement agencies, two drones attacked the building of the Senate Palace, on the roof of which the Russian state flag is installed, with an interval of 15 minutes.
Officials in Kyiv and Washington disowned the attacks, calling what happened "Russia's internal affairs." But, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted , the nature of the provocation directly indicates that it was carried out by the Ukrainian special services, which operate in close conjunction with the United States.
"Often, even goals are determined not by Kyiv, but by Washington. Not every time Kyiv is given the right to choose means. Washington must clearly understand that we know this," Peskov stressed.
"As for Washington’s attitude, I drew attention to the statement of [head of the State Department] Tony Blinken , who said that the United States would not dictate to Ukraine the methods by which it defends its sovereignty," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The attack on the Kremlin was accompanied by numerous stuffing in social networks. One of them belongs to foreign agent Vladimir Osechkin , who fled abroad, who, referring to a certain “source in law enforcement agencies”, claimed that in response to the attack on the Kremlin, the Russian Aerospace Forces were allegedly preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine as retaliation. Allegedly, nuclear weapons have already been delivered to the tactical bomber airfield.
Despite the obvious fakeness, the stuffing was quickly picked up by a number of Western media and Telegram channels that are associated with Western intelligence agencies. At the same time, which is typical, the West did not begin to discuss the possible involvement of the United States in the incident, focusing on the publication of "stuffing".
However, there are some circumstances that make it possible to suspect Western intelligence services of organizing an attack on the Kremlin, said Vadim Kozyulin , head of the Center for Global Studies and International Relations at the Institute of Current International Problems of the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Ministry.
“Some connection between the attack on the Kremlin and publications on the “nuclear” topic can be traced. Moreover, the reaction of the American media, as well as the American military, was very calm. They disowned the attack, although according to a number of indicators it can be assumed that it could not have done without Washington, Kozyulin told REGNUM . - In particular, the guidance of drones was most likely carried out using military GPS navigation, which Ukraine does not have. But the United States could well provide guidance for this attack.
A reasonable question arises: why should Washington plan an attack on the Kremlin, and then spin the topic of the “nuclear threat”. Sources of the NYTimes and other American media do not specify why it was necessary to send such specialized military assistance to Ukraine, especially now. But it should be noted that the United States has been supplying equipment and equipment for radiation protection for a long time.
“Earlier, even before the start of the NMD, the United States brought in ten thousand suits of radiochemical protection, put in radiation and chemical protection vehicles,” the editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, military expert Alexei Leonkov , noted in a commentary to REGNUM news agency . - Then it was reported that this equipment and equipment was needed in order to examine a certain area where there is an increased radioactive background.
That is, the topic of “the threat of radioactive contamination” has been in their clip for a long time.”
The expert drew attention to the fact that the topic of radiation provocation by Ukraine and its partners was repeatedly raised by the Russian Ministry of Defense in connection with the possible actions of Kyiv, the ultimate goal of which is to accuse Russian troops of using nuclear weapons.
“Ukraine is ready to go all out if we look at all the terrorist attacks in which it participates as a performer. It can play any role, the West will try to evade responsibility, as happened in the case of the attack on the Kremlin,” Leonkov added.
Let us recall that this is not the first time that the United States has used the story about "regimes that have weapons of mass destruction" as material for organizing provocations. As an example, we can recall the legendary test tube of US Secretary of State Colin Powell , with the help of which the United States justified the military invasion of Iraq .
In April 2018, the United States announced the use of chemical weapons already in Syria, accusing the country's government of violating human rights. The scandal was used as a pretext for launching a massive strike on Syrian territory even before the necessary investigation was carried out on the ground. As Kozyulin notes, the Syrian example could theoretically be used to organize a similar stuffing in Ukraine.
“There are a number of signs that allow us to establish the origin of radioactive materials by the radiation background that will be detected at the explosion site. It will be necessary to try very hard to substantiate this, - the expert noted. —
On the other hand, if the provocation is carried out, the US may start a public campaign to denounce Russia even before any investigation is carried out.”
According to Kozyulin, the so-called “dirty bomb”, which Ukraine can collect from its radioactive waste, can be used to organize such a provocation. The use of this kind of ammunition can cause an increase in the radiation background, which can be used for propaganda purposes.
“There is a certain probability of such a scenario," the expert said.
However, the provocation can also pursue more global goals than just "accusing Russia."
As Alexei Leonkov notes, the key strategic task for the United States is the destruction of the bloc between Russia and China. For China, the topic of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is critically important, so the pretext with a radioactive threat can be promoted precisely for diplomatic purposes.
“In essence, Ukraine is not the most important aspect. Now there is a global confrontation between the United States and China for Europe, and an alliance with Russia is extremely important for China, the expert notes. - Therefore, a provocation with a "nuclear threat" on the model of how it was in Syria is an opportunity to prevent Europe from leaving the control of the United States.
And most importantly, to destroy relations between Moscow and Beijing. Because China is very sensitive about the use of nuclear weapons."
On May 4, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haynes, in her statement, spoke of a serious deterioration in relations between Beijing and Washington and at the same time strengthening relations between China and Russia. A similar opinion was expressed by the chairman of the Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces, Mark Milley, in an interview with Foreign Affairs.
“It is not in the interests of the United States to see the formation of a strategic military alliance between Russia and China, and we will do everything possible to make sure that this does not happen,” Mark Milley said. The only question is whether a nuclear provocation falls under the words "everything possible" or whether Washington is not yet ready to cross this line.
May 5, 2023
Sergey Adamov