With the Russian invasion of Ukraine now in its fourth year, a new flashpoint of confrontation has emerged over alleged nuclear bomb supplies that “France and Britain are providing to Ukraine,” a claim pushed by the Russian side to escalate threats against Kyiv. Specifically, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) made the allegation that France and Britain are actively working to supply Ukraine with nuclear weapons. “British and French elites are actively exploring ways to supply Kiev with a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called ‘dirty bomb’. Such reckless plans show that London and Paris have lost touch with reality,” commented the press office of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
According to the SVR, “the British and French elites are not willing to accept defeat.” Therefore, Kiev could seek more favorable terms for a ceasefire “if it possessed nuclear or at least a so-called dirty bomb,” the statement reads.
⚡️ Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service:
The British & French elites are actively exploring ways to supply Kiev with a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called “dirty bomb”.
Such reckless plans show that London & Paris have lost touch with reality.https://t.co/PYxhm6E06Z pic.twitter.com/iLWJyJIcmn
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) February 24, 2026
The SVR did not include documented evidence to support its claim, which the French embassy in Moscow told RBC news network constitutes a “blatant lie.” There was no immediate comment from Britain.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued its own statement warning of the danger of direct confrontation between nuclear powers and the serious consequences such a clash would have. “We warn once again of the dangers of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers and, consequently, of the potential horrific consequences,” the Foreign Ministry stated in its announcement.
Ukrainian response on nuclear bomb: Russian claims are irrational
For its part, Ukraine dismissed the Russian nuclear weapons claims as “irrational,” according to Reuters.
“Russian officials, known for their impressive track record of lies, are trying once again to fabricate the old nonsense about a ‘dirty bomb,'” said Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, adding:
“For the record: Ukraine has already denied such irrational Russian claims many times in the past and we officially deny them again now. We call on the international community to reject and condemn Russia’s dirty information bombs.”
