The Batallion Azov reports that the russian occupiers used a toxic substance of unknown origin against Ukrainian militaries and civilians in Mariupol about an hour ago.
The Azov press service reported this.
It is said that the toxit substance was dropped from a russian drone.
"The victims were diagnosed with respiratory failure and vestibulo-atactic syndrome. The consequences for people are now being investigated," - says the statement.
A source close to the Ministry of Defense said that the risk of russians using chemical weapons is very high.
Earlier Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Liudmila Denisova, said that russian propagandists were spreading a statement by one of the leaders of the so-called "DPR People's Militia" Eduard Basurin. The statement said there was no point in assaulting " Azovstal " underground fortifications in Mariupol. Therefore, it was advisable to close all exits and use chemical weapons.
The Ombudsman addressed the UN Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations of russia's Invasion of Ukraine and an expert mission set up by OSCE member states under the Moscow Mechanism to consider this potential russian war crime.
In addition, Great Britain intelligence reported a high risk that russian troops would use phosphorus munitions in Mariupol.