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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Russia’s Shoigu Warns of ‘Uncontrolled Escalation’ in Ukraine Conflict

Russian conscripts attend a military training at a ground training range in the Rostov-on-Don region, southern Russia, 21 October 2022. (EPA)

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told his French counterpart in a telephone call on Sunday that the situation in Ukraine was rapidly deteriorating and trending towards "uncontrolled escalation".

In a phone call with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu published by the Russian side, Shoigu said Moscow had concerns Ukraine could use a "dirty bomb" in the conflict, without providing evidence to support the suggestion that Ukraine might use such a weapon.

"They discussed the situation in Ukraine which is rapidly deteriorating," the defense ministry said in a readout of the call. "It is trending towards further uncontrolled escalation."

A so-called dirty bomb uses conventional explosives laced with radioactive material.

The defense ministry did not provide any further information on its statement.

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