Ukrainian authorities are declaring thatRussia has dropped a chemical weapon on Mariupol.
Troops are said to be suffering dizziness, breathing problems and other symptoms from the ‘unknown substance’, which is said to have been distributed via a drone.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his daily video address late on Monday that Russia forces could use chemical weapons in Ukraine, but did not confirm that they have been already used.
But unverified reports are suggesting that an ‘unknown substance’ was used in the besieged southern port city, which is expected to fall into Russian hands imminently.
Ukrainian media cited the far-right Azov regiment in saying Russia had used a ‘poisonous substance against Ukrainian troops in Mariupol’.
Reports claimed the substance was distributed by a drone, and victims have had shortness of breath and other symptoms.
Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush tweeted: ‘1,5hr ago, (Russia) used unknown substance in #Mariupol Victims experience breathing failure, vestib.-atactic syndrome. Most most likely chem.weapons! This is red line beyond which the world need to ruin economy of despotism.
‘We need complete embargo on all fuels from (Russia) && heavy weapons 2UA now!
Nexta television tweeted: ‘The Azov Regiment reports that about an hour ago #Russian soldiers utilized a poisonous compound of unidentified origin versus Ukrainian military and civilians in the city of#Mariupol
.
‘The victims suffered from respiratory failure and vestibulo-attack syndrome.’
It follows the UK’s Ministry of Defence stated it fears that Putin might utilize prohibited white phosphorus munitions in a restored push to take Mariupol, where the Mayor worries 10,000 civilians are currently dead.
The intelligence evaluation released on Monday stated: ‘Russian forces’ previous usage of phosphorus munitions in the Donetsk Oblast raises the possibility of their future work in Mariupol as defending the city magnifies.’
The U.S.A. made a comparable caution last month, which has actually been echoed by other states.
The Kremlin has actually dismissed the declarations as‘diversion tactics’ Russia has actually likewise long been implicated of utilizing chemical weapons in Syria and is presumed of poisoning a variety of dissidents, consisting of in the UK.
It is uncertain how the west will react to the most recent claims of an atrocity in Ukraine– however using chemical weapons had actually commonly been viewed as a possible red line.
Russia has actually regularly rejected essentially all claims of war criminal activities and other atrocities and appears most likely to likewise do so in this circumstances.
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MORE: Ukraine bracing for significant impending Russian attack that might ruin the east.
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