US to Provide Ukraine with Nuclear Incident Detection Sensors

The United States is supplying Ukraine with a system of sensors that detect radiation bursts resulting from the use of nuclear weapons and 'dirty' bombs. These sensors can also provide information on who specifically used the weapons, according to the New York Times (NYT).

The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has announced that it is deploying a network of sensors through its Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) to cover the region. The agency asserts that these sensors will enable the identification of 'any nuclear explosion's strength, location, and consequences' and deprive Russia of the 'possibility of anonymous use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.'

American nuclear experts believe that public information regarding such defensive planning can deter Moscow by signaling that Washington is capable of exposing 'false flag operations.'

Developments in the field of 'nuclear attribution' gained prominence in the U.S. after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, when the risks of domestic nuclear terrorism were brought to the forefront.

If a nuclear emergency occurs in Ukraine, whether it is from reactor radiation or a nuclear weapon explosion, the NNSA stated, 'scientific analyses will be promptly provided to government bodies and decision-making centers in the United States, Ukraine, and other countries in the region for effective, technically justified solutions for public health and safety protection.'

The U.S. Department of Energy and NNSA had previously announced that $160 million from their 2023 budget would be spent on 'nuclear energy precautionary measures in Ukraine.'