The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is preparing to send inspectors to two Ukrainian sites in the coming days at Kyiv’s request, it said Monday, apparently in response to Russian claims that Ukraine could deploy a so-called “dirty bomb.” which Ukraine denies, reports Reuters.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is aware of the statements made by the Russian Federation on Sunday regarding alleged activities at two nuclear facilities in Ukraine,” the IAEA said in a statement, adding that both had already been subject to its inspections and one checked a month ago.

“The IAEA is preparing to visit the facilities in the coming days,” he added.

As Ukrainian troops advanced into the Russian-controlled Kherson region, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called his Western counterparts on Sunday to say Moscow suspected Kyiv of plans to use a so-called “dirty bomb.”

These developments raised fears in Kyiv that Russia was preparing a “false flag” operation in which Shoigu’s armed forces would actually use such a bomb with conventional explosives mixed with radioactive material, and that it was preparing the ground for accusations against Ukraine.

On Monday, Western countries accused Russia of conspiring to use the threat of a nuclear bomb as a pretext for escalation in Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday that NATO allies rejected Russia’s claim that Ukraine was preparing to use a “dirty bomb” on its territory, adding that he had just spoken with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his British counterpart Ben Wallace . , reports Reuters.

“NATO allies reject (Russia’s) claims. Russia should not use this as an excuse for escalation,” Stoltenberg said.