The Federal Security Service reported that Kyiv was preparing operations on Russian territory using “dirty bombs” - weapons filled with explosives and radioactive substances, which spread radiation contamination over a large area as a result of an explosion. Nowhere in the world are such bombs officially in service, but the danger of their use, especially in the context of terrorism, has long been discussed. NEWS.ru tells us what a dirty bomb is, how it differs from nuclear weapons and how dangerous it is.

“Dirty bomb” is a radiological weapon that combines an explosive with radioactive material. After its use, a certain amount of radiation is released. The main purpose of using this bomb is to cause panic, and to contaminate the air, water and soil with radioactive material, after which cleanup of the area will be required.

“Dirty bomb” is different from a nuclear bomb because the latter uses the energy of nuclear fission - its destructive shock wave, electromagnetic pulse, light radiation, penetrating radiation and radioactive contamination affects an area of thousands of kilometers. “Dirty bomb” disperses radioactive materials over a few square kilometers.

The FSB has announced the prevention of a terrorist attack, which was being prepared by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the AFU. According to the version of the special service, Kiev was planning to detonate “dirty bombs” on the territory of the Russian Federation.

“During the investigation of the sabotage prepared in May 2023 to blow up long-range aircraft deployed at Severny airfield in Ivanovo region, it became known about the plans of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine to commit a terrorist act on the territory of Russia using the so-called dirty bomb,” the FSB press release said.

According to the agency's version, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence Kirill Budanov created a special service to “organize sabotage on the territory of Russia”. Its composition, as noted in the report, “included light-engine aviation for supplying sabotage and reconnaissance groups on the territory of Russia with means of destruction, as well as strikes by dropping bombs on fuel and energy infrastructure facilities.” Troop Unit No. 3449 with the conventional designation “Legion” was assigned to coordinate this direction.

“A plan was being developed to deliver and plant so-called dirty bombs equipped with delay timers to simultaneously detonate and disable the area for human habitation,” the FSB added.

The intelligence service also reported on the detention of two Ukrainian pilots who “gave confessions about terrorist acts committed and planned by the GUR MOU.”

“The Ukrainian intelligence leadership discussed the possibility of creating and transferring a “dirty nuclear bomb”, radioactive contamination, small nuclear portable charges. They don't weigh that much, less than a FAB-100. That is, we discussed the issue that it is possible to make a 'dirty nuclear bomb' which, when detonated, contaminates a large area around it and it becomes unlivable under any circumstances,” TASS quoted one of the pilots as saying.

The degree of contamination from the use of this type of weapon depends on the size of the explosive, the amount and type of radioactive material used, the means of dispersal and weather conditions. For example, if such a bomb is detonated in windy conditions, the cloud will spread a greater distance than in calm conditions.

Such weapons are most likely to use inexpensive and relatively long-lived radioactive isotopes and other radionuclides or a mixture of isotopes from spent nuclear fuel.

A “dirty bomb” can harm those closest to the epicenter of an explosion. As it spreads, the radioactive material becomes less concentrated, therefore posing less danger. The immediate effects of radiation from such a bomb depend on a number of factors: its quantity, the duration of exposure, the distance from the radiation source to the person, and the route of exposure (through the skin, respiratory tract, or with water and food).

According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's handbook, radiation exposure from a dirty bomb cannot kill people instantly or cause serious illness quickly.

physicist Andrei Ozharovsky compared the consequences of exposure to radiological weapons with the consequences of nuclear reactor accidents. The difference is that accidents happen involuntarily, while “dirty bombs” are used purposefully. According to him, these weapons kill a person, but “slowly enough”, within a few weeks.

“It was not adopted for one simple reason - military generals did not like the fact that this weapon is very slow-acting. The generals want the enemy soldier to be killed on the battlefield, not to spray something and wait,” he says.

The degree of damage to the body depends on the concentration and dose of the substance, Ozharovsky explained, but those are not the only factors.

“You have to understand this about the impact of radioactive substances on humans: it is not only what is called by the word 'dose,' that is, external exposure. The main lethal impact is internal exposure. It is in the case of the use of radiological weapons that the atomization of radioactive substances carries this threat. What harm to health will be received depends on where the person was, whether he or she used protective equipment”, - said the expert.

In his opinion, even ordinary “covid” masks can help to reduce the risk of exposure. The specialist also recommended that in the event of an attack to wash hands, change clothes and shoes, divide the room into “clean” and “dirty” zones, cover hair or cut it off altogether.

“Dirty bombs” have never been used, but have been tested. For example, in 2015 it became known about the testing of this type of weapon in Israel. As the Haaretz edition wrote, a total of 20 explosions were carried out, most were conducted in the desert, one - in a closed institution.

“The researchers concluded that the high radiation levels were observed at the center of the explosions with low levels of wind-borne radioactive particles. According to sources, they do not pose a significant hazard, except for psychological effects,” the publication stated.

As part of the Green Field project, staff at the nuclear laboratory in Israel's Dimona began experiments in 2010 and completed them in 2014.

Weapons with radioactive components were tested back in the USSR. For example, in 1953, the ballistic operational-tactical missile R-2 was launched with head parts filled with radioactive liquid “Geranium” and “Generator”. In addition, the USSR exploded liquid air bombs with radioactive substances, but in 1958 radiological weapons testing was officially terminated.

The means of protection against the effects of a “dirty bomb” are the same as for radiation contamination. Respiratory protection (maxi, respirators) should be used to reduce the risk of inhaling radioactive aerosols. Also, objects damaged by the explosion should not be touched because they may have radioactive dust on them.

One should leave the site of a “dirty bomb” explosion as soon as possible to minimize exposure. Clothing worn in the affected area should be packed tightly and disposed of afterwards (in the case of radiation accidents, authorities should be instructed on how to dispose of contaminated personal items).

After being in the affected area, it is recommended to take a shower as soon as possible to wash off any possible micro-particles with radioactive elements from the skin.