Western authorities are working to verify claims that Russian forces used chemical weapons during their invasion of Ukraine.
Some officials in Ukraine accused Russia of unleashing such weapons in the ravaged port city of Mariupol after reports emerged about people in the area developing respiratory issues.
In a post on Twitter on Monday, 11 April, Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush shared news of the 'unknown substance' in Mariupol, claiming victims were experiencing 'respiratory failure' and adding: "Most likely [chemical] weapons!"
The MP criticised the alleged actions and called for further sanctions to be imposed against Russia as a result of the supposed attack, writing: "This is red line beyond which must destroy economy of despotism. We demand full embargo on all fuels from #RU &heavy weapons 2UA now [sic]."
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Ukraine’s Azov regiment also told the Kyiv Independent they believe Russia has used poisonous substances that were dropped by a drone, adding there will be 'disastrous consequences' for the health of people in the area.
News of the alleged attack was also shared by Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs, who wrote: "ATTENTION! Chemical weapons are used against Ukrainian defenders in #Mariupol! Russia openly crosses all boundaries of humanity and openly declares it, while Ukraine is still asking for heavy weapon."
The news prompted both the US and the UK to investigate the claims, with UK foreign secretary Liz Truss confirming officials were aware of the situation.
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"Reports that Russian forces may have used chemical agents in an attack on the people of Mariupol. We are working urgently with partners to verify details. Any use of such weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict and we will hold Putin and his regime to account," Truss wrote.
Meanwhile, US Defence Department spokesperson John Kirby said the US is 'aware of social media reports which claim Russian forces deployed a potential chemical munition in Mariupol, Ukraine', and said while the Pentagon has not yet been able to confirm the claims it will 'continue to monitor the situation closely'.
Kirby continued: “These reports, if true, are deeply concerning and reflective of concerns that we have had about Russia’s potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine.”
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The claims come after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of the possible use of chemical weapons by Russia, saying the country was treating the possibility 'with the utmost seriousness'.
"I would like to remind world leaders that the possible use of chemical weapons by the Russian military has already been discussed," he continued, Sky News reports. "And already at that time it meant that it was necessary to react to the Russian aggression much harsher and faster."
The US has said it would respond if chemical weapons were used by Russia, though it has not specified the nature of its response.
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Topics: Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, UK News, World News, US News, Politics
