US warns Russia of 'severe' consequences if it uses 'dirty bomb' in Ukraine

The US warned Russia on Monday that it would face "severe consequences" if it were to use a "dirty bomb" or any other nuclear weapon against Ukraine.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said that should Russia use an improvised nuclear device against Ukraine, it "would certainly be another example of President [Vladimir] Putin's brutality."

"If he were to use a so-called 'dirty bomb,' there would be consequences for Russia, whether it uses a dirty bomb or a nuclear bomb," Price told reporters. He did not outline what types of responses the US is considering.

A dirty bomb combines conventional explosive with radioactive materials that spread across an area following detonation.