Ukraine General Warns World About Putin Nuclear Threat: 'Should Be Worried'

A Ukrainian general has warned about the use of nuclear weapons by Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that Kyiv and the world "should be worried."

During an exclusive interview with ABC News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell, Oleksandr Syrskiy, a general of Ukraine's ground forces, was asked about how worried he is and if the world should share his concerns about a potential use of nuclear weapons by Putin.

"We are and should be worried," Syrskiy said in response. "And I do believe that such a threat really exists and we have to take it into account."

The comments by the Ukrainian General come shortly after Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Western officials that Moscow was concerned about Ukraine using a "dirty bomb" on Russia. A "dirty bomb" is an explosive device that spreads radioactive materials, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) states.

"A dirty bomb is not a nuclear bomb. A nuclear bomb creates an explosion that is millions of times more powerful than a dirty bomb. The cloud of radiation from a nuclear bomb could spread thousands of square miles, whereas a dirty bomb's radiation could be dispersed within a few blocks or miles of the explosion," the NRC said.

The concerns were disputed by the U.S., France and Britain, who said in a joint statement that "Our countries made clear that we all reject Russia's transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory. The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation."

In addition to the recent mention of a "dirty bomb," Putin said in September that Russia will "use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people." U.S. President Joe Biden warned of Putin's threats and said, "I don't think there's any such thing as the ability to easily use tactical nuclear weapons and not end up with Armageddon."

While speaking with Newsweek, Erika Simpson, an associate professor of international politics at Western University in Canada, said that if Putin was to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, it would lead to "worldwide condemnation."

Simpson also explained that Putin could use a nuclear demonstration shot to "escalate to de-escalate."

"So, as to show them he is determined," Simpson said.

Heather Williams, the director of the Project on Nuclear Issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), also previously told Newsweek that she believes "it is highly unlikely that Putin will use nuclear weapons in Ukraine."

"So these threats we have to take very seriously, nonetheless, I think the likelihood is pretty low," Williams told Newsweek.

Newsweek reached out to the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment.