{"id":14033,"date":"2022-10-24T06:54:17","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T13:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=14033"},"modified":"2022-10-24T06:54:17","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T13:54:17","slug":"ukraine-war-heading-for-uncontrolled-escalation-says-russia-the-guardian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=14033","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Ukraine war heading for \u2018uncontrolled escalation\u2019, says Russia&#8221;, The Guardian"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Peter Beaumont, London, 24 Oct 2022<\/p>\n<aside class=\"dcr-1aul2ye\" data-gu-name=\"meta\">\n<div class=\"dcr-zjgnrw\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\">\n<div class=\" dcr-ai6lo6\">\n<p><em>Moscow appears to be preparing ground for further escalation with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2022\/oct\/24\/ukraine-war-heading-for-uncontrolled-escalation-says-russia\">discredited claims<\/a> that Kyiv may use \u2018dirty\u2019 bomb<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2022\/oct\/24\/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-25000-have-fled-kherson-moscow-says-west-denounces-kremlin-dirty-bomb-claim\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Russia-Ukraine war \u2013 latest updates<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-pn0kqp\" data-gu-name=\"media\">\n<div class=\"dcr-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"dcr-16n5mgq\">\n<figure id=\"e6ccf0da-a072-4050-bdfb-2ca6e7dff50e\" class=\"dcr-13udsys\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1b267dg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1b267dg\"><picture class=\"dcr-4zleql\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=700&amp;quality=45&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 740px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=700&amp;quality=85&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=645&amp;quality=45&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=645&amp;quality=85&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=465&amp;quality=45&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=465&amp;quality=85&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-4zleql\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d8ae15ee636f0afe97041426934314eb13c08061\/0_60_3500_2100\/master\/3500.jpg?width=465&amp;quality=85&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none\" alt=\"Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.\" width=\"465\" height=\"279\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"dcr-64806o\"><span class=\"dcr-19x4pdv\">Kremlin is likely to be weighing how to respond to yet another anticipated battlefield defeat.<\/span>Photograph: AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-1jw1u7l\" data-gu-name=\"body\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1nt0e1s\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1gnfftb\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector  dcr-10nm96b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Russia\u2019s defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, has told western counterparts that the war in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/ukraine\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Ukraine<\/a> is heading for an \u201cuncontrolled escalation\u201d amid evidence that the Kremlin is weighing how to respond to yet another anticipated battlefield defeat around the key southern city of Kherson.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">With Russian troops setting up new defences for a fresh Ukrainian offensive in Luhansk in the country\u2019s east as well, Moscow appears to be preparing the ground for yet further escalation, with discredited claims that Kyiv may be preparing to use a dirty bomb as a \u201cfalse-flag operation\u201d to blame <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/russia\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Russia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"ed9c5045-2c04-409f-ab2a-ce77d1f627ff\" class=\" dcr-1mfia18\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\">\n<div class=\"css-16cuuq6\" data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-2 | 2\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"\">\n<div class=\"dcr-s7oxzu\">\n<div class=\"css-ghyc83\"><\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-q4dzvk\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ae5bdcfb595f6695602540b16862e5fba47bbde4\/0_0_5000_3001\/master\/5000.jpg?width=460&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=52ecad46a167782bf6542c898cae8afe\" alt=\"Taisiia Kovaliova, 15, stands amongst the rubble of a playground in front of her house hit by a Russian missile in Mykolaiv, on 23 October.\" width=\"5000\" height=\"3001\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-1d91meq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-m4qltb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-ajj3z4\">Russia-Ukraine war latest: what we know on day 243 of the invasion<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-9g571g\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h52nsv\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Russian officials \u2013 including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/vladimir-putin\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Vladimir Putin<\/a> \u2013 have repeatedly hinted that the Kremlin may be prepared to use a nuclear weapon as part of its so-far failed brinkmanship to discourage Kyiv and its western allies, which have been supplying Ukraine with modern weapons, intelligence and training.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Shoigu discussed the \u201crapidly deteriorating situation\u201d in phone calls with his British, French and Turkish counterparts and also spoke by phone with the US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, for the second time in three days. The Pentagon said Austin told Shoigu he \u201crejected any pretext for Russian escalation\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Without providing evidence, Shoigu said Ukraine could escalate by using a \u201cdirty bomb\u201d \u2013 conventional explosives laced with radioactive material.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Analysts have noted that a \u201cdirty bomb\u201d would have little utility for Ukraine on the battlefield, not least when its forces are currently retaking large swathes of territory by conventional means, instead interpreting Russia\u2019s claim as a pretext for its own planned escalation.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"a8320e2a-b73f-41a2-ad7b-b9f70a707b95\" class=\"element element-interactive element--inline element-inline css-17xicoh\" data-alt=\"map\" data-cypress=\"interactive-element-map\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"map\" src=\"https:\/\/interactive.guim.co.uk\/uploader\/embed\/2022\/10\/ukraine241022-zip\/giv-6562k7886YhjH8VR\/\" width=\"300\" height=\"549\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/59666047\/theguardian.com\/world\/article\/ng_7__container__\" class=\"ad-slot__content\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-container-2 offset-right ad-slot--offset-right ad-slot-container--offset-right\">\n<div id=\"dfp-ad--inline2\" class=\"js-ad-slot ad-slot ad-slot--inline ad-slot--inline2 ad-slot--rendered\" data-link-name=\"ad slot inline2\" data-name=\"inline2\" data-google-query-id=\"CKeO2sGA-foCFXH25wMd-6EBdw\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">In an overnight address, the Ukrainian president, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/volodymyr-zelenskiy\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Volodymyr Zelenskiy<\/a>, said the Russian accusation was a sign that Moscow was planning such an attack itself and would blame Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">\u201cIf Russia calls and says that Ukraine is allegedly preparing something, it means one thing: Russia has already prepared all this,\u201d Zelenskiy said. \u201cSo when today the Russian minister of defence organises a phone carousel and calls foreign ministers with stories about the so-called \u2018dirty\u2019 nuclear bomb, everyone understands everything well. Understands who is the source of everything dirty that can be imagined in this war.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"078b5463-ba20-418f-90fc-4884eaad2a67\" class=\" dcr-10khgmf\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.YoutubeBlockElement\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-component=\"youtube-atom\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-component=\"youtube-atom\">\n<div class=\"dcr-0\" data-cy=\"youtube-sticky-40PRSwSgvUI-078b5463-ba20-418f-90fc-4884eaad2a67\" data-is-sticky=\"false\">\n<div class=\"dcr-0\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1ao2hz\"><button class=\"dcr-1gw86ur\" data-cy=\"youtube-overlay-40PRSwSgvUI-078b5463-ba20-418f-90fc-4884eaad2a67\" data-testid=\"youtube-overlay-40PRSwSgvUI-078b5463-ba20-418f-90fc-4884eaad2a67\"><\/button><button class=\"dcr-1gw86ur\" data-cy=\"youtube-overlay-40PRSwSgvUI-078b5463-ba20-418f-90fc-4884eaad2a67\" data-testid=\"youtube-overlay-40PRSwSgvUI-078b5463-ba20-418f-90fc-4884eaad2a67\"><picture><source srcset=\"\" media=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/031563f45ed04df83ed646a5b38b20038dcc436d\/0_0_1920_1080\/1000.jpg 1000w,https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/031563f45ed04df83ed646a5b38b20038dcc436d\/0_0_1920_1080\/500.jpg 500w,https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/031563f45ed04df83ed646a5b38b20038dcc436d\/0_0_1920_1080\/140.jpg 140w,https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/031563f45ed04df83ed646a5b38b20038dcc436d\/0_0_1920_1080\/1920.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><img class=\"dcr-1989ovb\" alt=\"World 'will not swallow' Russian lies about Ukrainian dirty bomb, says Zelenskiy \u2013 video\" width=\"460\" height=\"259\" \/><\/picture><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-14wkmxc\">\n<div class=\"overlay-play-button dcr-eortmd\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-7r3us4\">01:41<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"dcr-ymtitt\"><span class=\"dcr-19x4pdv\">World &#8216;will not swallow&#8217; Russian lies about Ukrainian dirty bomb, says Zelenskiy \u2013 video<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Shoigu\u2019s comments fit a worrying pattern of escalatory actions by Moscow as the tide of the war has turned against it, most recently with its targeting of civilian infrastructure with missiles and \u201ckamikaze\u201d drones after Kyiv\u2019s attack on the Kerch strait bridge in Crimea earlier this month.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-slot-container \">\n<div id=\"dfp-ad--inline1\" class=\"js-ad-slot ad-slot ad-slot--inline ad-slot--inline1 ad-slot--outstream ad-slot--rendered\" data-link-name=\"ad slot inline1\" data-name=\"inline1\" data-google-query-id=\"CJuqopWA-foCFQXZ5wMdblwEuQ\">\n<div class=\"ad-slot__label\">In a joint statement after the talks, Britain, France and the US said they were committed to supporting Ukraine \u201cfor as long as it takes\u201d and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2022\/oct\/24\/us-dismisses-transparently-false-russian-claims-of-ukraine-plan-to-use-dirty-bomb\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> rejected Russia\u2019s warning about a \u201cdirty bomb\u201d<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">\u201cOur countries made clear that we all reject Russia\u2019s transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory,\u201d they said. \u201cThe world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia and the International Institute for Strategic Affairs, commented on Twitter: \u201cIt\u2019s Russia that is escalating: attacks on Ukraine\u2019s energy infrastructure, apparent attacks on western connectivity infrastructure, and mining of Novaya Kakhovka dam. And playing with nuclear fire in Zaporizhzhiya [nuclear power plant] for months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">\u201cSo [it\u2019s] hard to see these calls as anything other than Shoigu either doubling down on Putin\u2019s bluffs, or preparing way for Russian nuclear use. Yes, nuclear (ie fission [rather than a dirty bomb]). A dirty bomb would breach nuclear taboo but not achieve significant effects.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-container-3 offset-right ad-slot--offset-right ad-slot-container--offset-right\">\n<div id=\"dfp-ad--inline3\" class=\"js-ad-slot ad-slot ad-slot--inline ad-slot--inline3 ad-slot--rendered\" data-link-name=\"ad slot inline3\" data-name=\"inline3\" data-google-query-id=\"CJHQ6oeB-foCFSXA5wMdokoN8A\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">He added: \u201cI worry there is too much motivated reasoning in dismissing possible Russian nuclear use. We don\u2019t want it to happen, and\/or we don\u2019t see the point, therefore it won\u2019t. But Russia faces logic of dwindling choices as it loses. Escalation of all kinds more likely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">The latest threats from Moscow come as Russian forces appear to be preparing to withdraw from the east bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, ordering a fresh evacuation of civilians, and laying the ground for the potential loss of the city of Kherson itself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">About 25,000 people have been evacuated from the area since Tuesday, the Interfax news agency said. However, Russia-installed authorities in Kherson reported insufficient vessels to ferry people across the river at one point on Sunday, blaming a \u201csharp increase in the number of people wishing to leave\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">The Russian education minister, Sergei Kravtsov, said in a video message: \u201cThe situation today is difficult. It\u2019s vital to save your lives. It won\u2019t be for long. You will definitely return.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">On Monday, the region\u2019s Russian-installed administration announced the formation of a local militia, saying that all men remaining in the city could join.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Russia accused western countries of having \u201cessentially stolen\u201d its gold and foreign exchange reserves via sanctions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-2v2zi4\">Asked by reporters about an EU proposal to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: \u201cIn general, a part large of our assets have been essentially stolen by specific western countries.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Peter Beaumont, London, 24 Oct 2022 Moscow appears to be preparing ground for further escalation with discredited claims that Kyiv may use \u2018dirty\u2019 bomb Russia-Ukraine war \u2013 latest updates Kremlin is likely to be weighing how to respond to yet another anticipated battlefield defeat.Photograph: AP Russia\u2019s defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, has told western counterparts that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001004,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14033"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001004"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14033"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14033\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14034,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14033\/revisions\/14034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}