UKRAINE ACCUSED OF ‘CHEMICAL TERRORISM’ USING TOXINS BY RUSSIA

Sun 21 August 2022:

Russia’s defense ministry accused Ukraine of poisoning some of its soldiers in the Russian-controlled region of Zaporizhzhia.

In response, a Ukrainian interior ministry adviser stated on Saturday that the claimed poisoning could have been caused by Russian personnel consuming expired tinned meat.

On July 31, a number of Russian troops were transported to a military hospital with symptoms of “severe poisoning”, According to the Russian defense ministry, tests revealed a toxic substance, botulinum toxin type B, in their systems.

“On the fact of chemical terrorism sanctioned by the [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy regime, Russia is preparing supporting evidence with the results of all the analyses,” the ministry said in a statement.

It did not say how many soldiers suffered poisoning or what their condition was now, or elaborate on what the “supporting evidence” involved.

Botulinum toxin type B is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism when ingested in previously contaminated food products, but it can also have medical uses.

The Ukrainian defense ministry did not comment immediately to the allegations, but interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko addressed them on the Telegram messaging service.

“The department [Russian defence ministry] does not clarify whether the poisoning could have been caused by expired canned meat, in which botulinum toxin is often found. Overdue rations have been massively complained about by the occupying forces since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine,” he said.

Russia has said its “special military operation” launched on February 24 is aimed at demilitarising Ukraine and protecting Russian speakers on what President Vladimir Putin called historical Russian land.

Ukraine and Western countries see it as an unprovoked conquest war aiming at erasing Ukraine’s national identity.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES | FILE PHOTO

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