A Ukrainian battalion said Monday that Russia had used chemical weapons against Ukraine’s military and citizens, causing respiratory failure and other illnesses among the victims.
The Azoz Regiment, a unit of Ukraine’s National Guard, said the chemicals were “of unknown origin” and were being dropped via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on civilians in the southeastern city of Mariupol.
“About an hour ago, Russian occupying forces used a poisonous substance of unknown origin against Ukrainian military and civilians in the city of Mariupol, dropped by an enemy UAV,” the Azoz regiment wrote on Telegram on Monday. “The victims have respiratory arrest, vestibulo-atactic syndrome. The consequences of using an unknown substance are being clarified.”
NATO has warned that the use of chemical weapons could trigger further Western action. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said late last month that the use of chemical weapons was a “blatant violation of international law with far-reaching consequences.”
President Joe Biden previously said such an act could be grounds for triggering a violent US response, though he didn’t say what that might be.
A Ukrainian military unit said Monday that Russian forces have used chemical weapons against civilians. Above: A Ukrainian soldier exits a damaged building after being shelled by Russian forces in Kyiv March 12, 2022. ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
Newsweek has not been able to independently verify Montag’s claims. However, several Ukrainian officials have also reported on the allegations on social media.
Solomiia Bobrovska, a member of Ukraine’s parliament and secretary of the foreign affairs committee, urged Biden and NATO to respond to the reports.
“That #Azov Battalion informs that Russia has used an unknown chemical substance against defenders #Mariupoland civilians. @POTUS @NATO You have announced a violent reaction should Russia use chemical weapons. Time to act NOW,” she wrote.
Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Minister, tweeted about the alleged use of chemical weapons.
“DANGER! Chemical weapons are used against Ukrainian defenders #Mariupol! Russia openly transcends all human borders and openly declares it, while Ukraine still demands heavy weapons,” he wrote.
ATTENTION
Chemical weapons are used against Ukrainian defenders #Mariupol! Russia openly transcends all the limits of mankind and openly declares it, while Ukraine still demands heavy weapons #UkraineUnderAttack— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 11, 2022
Ivanna Klympush, a politician who is leading the country’s efforts to integrate Ukraine into the European Union, also condemned the alleged actions and called for more sanctions against Russia.
“This is the red line beyond which 🌎 must destroy the economy of despotism. We call for a total embargo on all fuels #RU &Heavy Arms 2UA now!” she wrote.
1/2 #RU Unknown substance used in 1.5 hrs ago #Mariupol. Victims stop breathing
vestib.-atactic syndrome.Most likely chemical.weapons!This is the red line beyond which 🌎 must destroy the economy of despotism.We demand a total embargo on all fuels #RU &heavy weapons 2UA now!— Ivanna Klympush (@IKlympush) April 11, 2022
Britain’s Defense Ministry warned on Monday that Russia could soon resume using phosphorus bombs to step up military action in eastern Ukraine.
“The previous use of phosphorus munitions by the Russian Armed Forces in Donetsk Oblast raises the possibility of their future use in Mariupol as fighting around the city intensifies,” the ministry said in its latest Defense Intelligence update, published on Twitter.
The battalion’s allegation on Monday isn’t the first time Russia has been accused of using dangerous substances in the war that began in late February. Ukrainian officials claimed last month that Russia used white phosphorus munitions, a substance potent enough to burn human flesh, in the eastern city of Kramatorsk.
White phosphorus is not considered a chemical weapon under the UN Chemical Weapons Convention, but its use is strictly regulated by international law. Application to civilians is illegal.
Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment.