Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Ukraine plans to use a so-called dirty bomb as a provocation.

He made the comment on Wednesday at a meeting of intelligence officials from the Commonwealth of Independent States, made up of former Soviet republics, which he attended online.

Dirty bombs are designed to disperse radioactive material.

Meanwhile, the Russian defense ministry said its minister expressed concern in talks with his Chinese and Indian counterparts that Ukraine may use a dirty bomb.

The ministry said Sergei Shoigu held phone talks with China's Wei Fenghe and India's Rajnath Singh.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia will continue conveying its view to the international community to prevent an irresponsible move by Ukraine.

The Russian ministry has already repeated the claim to the United States, France, Turkey and Britain.

Ukraine has reacted sharply, saying Russia fabricated the information.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank, said Shoigu's calls are likely intended to intimidate Western states into cutting or limiting support for Ukraine.