chemical weapons by Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine — a potential red line in the conflict.In a statement to Global News Monday night, spokesperson John Kirby said if verified, the report from Ukrainian fighters of a chemical weapon attack in the heavily besieged city of Mariupol was “deeply concerning.”“We cannot confirm at this time and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the emailed statement said about what Kirby called “social media reports.”Azov Battalion, a nationalist military unit fighting to protect Mariupol, reported on its social media channels late Monday night that a “poisonous substance” had been dropped from a Russian drone earlier that evening.
Tens of thousands dead in Mariupol, Zelenskyy says amid plea to South Korea for arms It said the unknown substance caused victims to suffer respiratory failure and symptoms of vestibulo-atactic syndrome, a neurological disorder.Battalion leader Andriy Biletsky said in a video posted to Telegram that three victims had signs of chemical poisoning, but added he expected them to recover without any “disastrous consequences” for their health.
He did not say whether the victims were soldiers or civilians.Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush also reported the attack on social media, citing Azov’s report, calling the potential use of a chemical weapon “a red line” that must be met with international action.2/2 This morning #Russians threatened to use “chemical troops” against Mariupol’s defenders.