Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy voiced concerns that Russia forces could use chemical weapons in Ukraine but did not confirm whether they had been used in his daily video address late on Monday.
Zelenskiy said Russia claimed its forces could use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol and he was taking the allegations seriously.
"Today, the occupiers issued a new statement, which testifies to their preparation for a new stage of terror against Ukraine and our defenders"
One of the mouthpieces of the occupiers stated that they could use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol. We take this as seriously as possible.
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The Ukrainian Azov Regiment, a unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, has also spoken of the unconfirmed reports that Russia used chemical weapons against Ukraine’s military and citizens late on Monday night.
The Regiment said the chemicals were of an “unknown origin” and dropped via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on civilians in the southeastern city of Mariupol.
"About an hour ago, Russian occupation forces used a poisonous substance of unknown origin against Ukrainian military and civilians in the city of Mariupol, which was dropped from an enemy UAV,” the Azoz Regiment posted on Telegram on Monday.
The victims have respiratory failure, vestibulo-atactic syndrome. The consequences of using an unknown substance are being clarified.”
Azov leader Andriy Biletsky told the Kyiv Independent that three people have signs of chemical poisoning but there appears to be no “disastrous consequences” for their health.
Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs, tweeted about the alleged use of chemical weapons.
“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,” he wrote.
The Guardian could not independently verify the claims.
ATTENTION
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 11, 2022
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 #UkraineUnderAttack
⚡️⚡️Azov regiment: Russia used poisonous substance against Ukrainian troops in Mariupol.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 11, 2022
The substance has been distributed by a drone, and victims have shortness of breath and vestibulocerebellar ataxia.
It may be Russia's first known use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
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Pentagon spokesman, John Kirby, has also issued a statement on the unconfirmed reports of a chemical weapons attack in Mariupol.
"We are aware of social media reports which claim Russian forces deployed a potential chemical munition in Mariupol, Ukraine. We cannot confirm at this time and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
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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Russia uses chemical weapons in attack on Mariupol: unconfirmed reports
Ukrainian authorities have said a Russian drone dropped a toxic substance on the southeastern city of Mariupol late on Monday night.
Ivanna Klympush, a Ukrainian MP and chair of the parliamentary committee on integration of Ukraine to the EU, said the unknown substance was “most likely” chemical weapons.
Klympush claimed the attack occurred around 10pm local time, writing on Twitter: “This morning Russians threatened to use “chemical troops” against Mariupol’s defenders.”
“Victims experience respiratory failure, vestib.-atactic syndrome.Most likely chem [chemical] weapons!” she added.
UK foreign secretary Liz Truss said Russian forces may have used chemical agents in an attack on the people of Mariupol.
“We are working urgently with partners to verify details,” she said “Any use of such weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict and we will hold Putin and his regime to account.”
1/2 #RU 1,5hr ago used unknown substance in #Mariupol. Victims experience respiratory failure,
— Ivanna Klympush (@IKlympush) April 11, 2022
vestib.-atactic syndrome.Most likely chem.weapons!This is red line beyond which 🌎 must destroy economy of despotism.We demand full embargo on all fuels from #RU &heavy weapons 2UA now!
Any use of such weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict and we will hold Putin and his regime to account.— Liz Truss (@trussliz) April 11, 2022