Ukrainian intel: Russia may use chemical weapons against Azovstal defenders

Russians can use chemical weapons against people at the “Azovstal” plant in Mariupol. According to the latest data, in order to avoid losses among the russian armed forces, the enemy can arrange so-called “smoking out” from the enterprise Ukrainian defenders and civilians, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate [MID] of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.For this purpose, the russian leadership plans to carry out bombing and missile strikes with artillery and aircraft munitions - carriers of combat poisons. At the same time, russian units of the “Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Forces” will use aerosols with chemical weapons.

“It is known that the words of the President of the russian federation in a video excerpt from the conversation with the Minister of Defense published in the media were taken out of context. The phrase "occupation of the siege of the approaches to the enterprise so that the fly does not fly" should be taken in context - not to allow anyone alive to get out of the catacombs. In particular, after the use of chemical weapons," - said in the Intelligence.

They claim that additional evidence of the Kremlin's plans to use chemical weapons are:

- "work ahead" - spreading false information about the availability of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine

- selection and inspection of possible places for storage of ammunition [cylinders] with combat poisons.

“Azovstal”, where the Azov Regiment, Marines, Law Enforcement officers, Border Guards and civilians, including the wounded, remain, was blocked by the enemy. There are about 1,000 civilians and 500 injured servicemen.

Last week, the Commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, which together with the Azov Regiment is defending Mariupol, Major Serhiy Volyna, appealed to world leaders to apply the withdrawal procedure to the military of the Mariupol garrison and civilians hiding at the plant.

On April 21, russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu not to storm the Mariupol industrial zone. At the same time, Putin ordered the blockade of the Ukrainian city. According to russian media, he said that the occupiers should save their lives and not "climb into the catacombs."

On the same day, the russians began dropping bombs on “Azovstal”. Enemies forbid the evacuation from the plant and offer to surrender. The russians continued bombing the plant on Easter day.

The russians have already used unknown substances to attack Mariupol. On April 11, the Azov Regiment reported that the russian occupiers had used a poisonous substance of unknown origin against Ukrainian military and civilians. It was dropped from russian drone. The origin of the substance is being studied - it is difficult to do because of the siege of the city. The United States believes it could be tear gas mixed with chemicals.