White House warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Putin uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine; Russian court upholds Griner’s 9-year term

Russia continues to press its allegation that Ukraine plans to use a so-called “dirty bomb” on its own territory, and says it will take it up with the United Nations. Ukrainian and Western officials have denounced the claim as a “pretext for aggression.”

Kyiv has requested a team from the U.N.’s watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear power facilities in order to disprove Moscow’s claims.

A “dirty bomb” is made to contaminate a large area with radioactivity, making it harmful or uninhabitable for residents there, without using a nuclear explosion.

Meanwhile, a Russian court denied WNBA star Brittney Griner’s appeal after the American athlete was convicted on drug charges earlier this year.