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IAEA says no sign of 'dirty bomb' work at Ukrainian sites - Kyiv hails report

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The UN nuclear watchdog stated on Thursday (5 January) that there was no evidence of undeclared nuclear activity at three locations in Ukraine it inspected on Kyiv's request. This was in response to Russian claims that work was being carried out on a "dirty" bomb.

Moscow repeatedly accused Ukraine of plotting to use such a bomb, a conventional explosive device laced in radioactive material. It also claimed that institutes connected to the nuclear industry were involved with preparations without providing evidence. The accusation is denied by the Ukrainian government.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian President, hailed the conclusion and said in a video address: "The only dirty things in the region right now is the heads of those from Moscow who unfortunately seized control over the Russian state and terrorize Ukraine."

Some Ukrainian and Western officials accuse Moscow of lying to cover up its dirty bomb detonation and place the blame on Kyiv.

"Over the past few days, inspectors were in a position to perform all activities that the IAEA planned to conduct and were allowed unrestricted access to the locations," said the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency in a statement.

"Based on the evaluations of the available results and the information provided to Ukraine, the agency found no indications of undeclared nuclear activities or materials at these locations."

Following a request from Kyiv, the IAEA stated last month that it would inspect two locations within Ukraine. It stated that the inspections had started Monday and said they were complete at three locations, rather than just two. This was in response to a request by Kyiv.

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IAEA identified the three locations as the Institute for Nuclear Research (Kyiv), Eastern Mining and Processing Plant Zhovti Kody and Production Association Pivdennyi Machine-Building Plant Dnipro.

The statement said that inspectors also collected environmental samples which will be sent to lab analysis. The IAEA will then report back.

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