Russia accuses Ukrainian forces of using chemical weapons in Zaporiyia region

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The Russian Defense Ministry has accused the Ukrainian Armed Forces of using chemical weaponry during an alleged attack perpetrated at the end of July in the region of Zaporiyia, the focus of intense fighting in recent weeks.

The events denounced by Moscow are said to have taken place in the Vasilyevka area. After the attack, doctors found traces of a neurotoxin in several soldiers who had been evacuated with serious wounds, according to the Russian version, reported by the Interfax news agency.

The Russian government, which has announced that it will transfer the evidence to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), has affirmed that the “regime” of Volodimir Zelenski is resorting to “chemical terrorism” in the face of its “military defeats” on the ground.

Separately, Russian Army spokesman Igor Konashenkov has announced an investigation into an alleged chemical poisoning of a military commander in the Kherson region of eastern Ukraine, according to TASS news agency.

The use of chemical weapons has been a recurring fear since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February, with no official record so far that Ukrainian troops have resorted to them in the context of this conflict.