The Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held telephone conversations with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu on Sunday and discussed the Ukraine situation. 

"The situation in Ukraine, which has a steady tendency towards further, uncontrolled escalation, was discussed," the ministry said in a short statement, adding that Shoigu conveyed "concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a 'dirty bomb'."