Russia may use chemical weapons in Mariupol - intelligence
IRYNA BALACHUK - MONDAY, 25 APRIL 2022, 13:00
The Ukrainian Chief Intelligence Directorate says Russia has not abandoned plans to use chemical weapons against Ukrainian defenders and civilians stationed at the Azovstal steelworks.
Source: Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, on Telegram
Quote: "Chemical weapons may be used against people on the territory of the Azovstal plant. According to the latest information, Russians may engage in so-called ‘smoking out’ of Ukrainian defenders and civilians from the steelworks’ premises in order to avoid casualties among Russian servicemen."
Details: According to intelligence, the Russian leadership plans to use bombs and missiles as carriers of toxic warfare agents. As well, Russian units of the "Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defence Troops" will use aerosols containing chemical weapons.
Intelligence officials consider that the fact that Russia is already spreading false information about the alleged presence of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine is further confirmation of the Kremlin's plans to use chemical weapons.
In addition, Russian occupiers are already selecting and inspecting possible locations for storing ammunition (cylinders) containing toxic warfare agents.
Background:
- Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence stated that it had information that Russian authorities were planning to deploy units of the Russian Guards and of the Federal Security Service to storm the positions of Ukrainian defenders at Azovstal.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that for now, the Ukrainian forces lacked the means to conduct a military operation to lift the siege of Mariupol.
- On 23 April, the Azov Regiment shared online the first part of a video of the basements of the Azovstal plant in Russian-blockaded Mariupol. It showed children hiding from Russian bombs.
- On 24 April, the Azov Regiment showed a new video from the Azovstal bunker. The women who were sheltering there with their children said they had only a few days of water and food supplies left.
