Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, in a phone call with his British counterpart Ben Wallace, alleged on Sunday (October 23) that UK was facilitating Ukraine’s actions that would ‘escalate the conflict’ in the country.
A statement released by UK’s Ministry of Defence said that UK refuted these claims. It said further that Russia was “cautioned” by the UK that such allegations should not be used as “pretext” to escalate the conflict.
As per statement from Russian foreign ministry, Shoigu said Ukraine could escalate with a “dirty bomb,” conventional explosives laced with radioactive material.
Shoigu also spoke with his counterparts from Turkiye and France.
The rare call between Russia and UK defence ministers came on a day when Russian missile attack on Ukrainian-held Mykolaiv destroyed an apartment block on Sunday (October 23). Mykolaiv is roughly 35 km northwest from Kherson. Ukrainian forces have targetted Kherson region in a major offensive.
Russian missile attack on Mykolaiv wiped out top floor of an apartment block. The missile blasts propelled shrapnels and debris into neighbouring buildings. Reuters said that there were no fatalities.
Mykolaiv regional governor Vitaliy Kim said on Telegram that Ukraine shot down 14 Russian “kamikaze” drones over Mykolaiv overnight.
(With inputs from agencies)
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