Kyiv denies allegations of poisoning Russian soldiers with botulinum toxin and says invading troops likely ate out-of-date canned goods.
Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of poisoning some of its soldiers in the Russian-controlled part of southeastern Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region in late July.
An adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry responded on Saturday that the alleged poisoning could have been caused by Russian forces eating out-of-date canned meat.
A number of Russian soldiers were taken to a military hospital on July 31 with signs of “severe poisoning.” Tests showed a toxic substance, botulinum toxin type B, in their bodies, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“On the fact of chemical terrorism sanctioned by the [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy regime is preparing Russia supporting evidence with the results of all analyses,” the ministry said in a statement.
It did not say how many soldiers were poisoned or what their condition was now, or elaborate on what the “supporting evidence” contained.
Botulinum toxin type B is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism when ingested in previously contaminated food, but it may also have medicinal uses.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its findings will be shared with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
“Evidence of chemical terrorism by the Kiev regime will soon be officially forwarded to the OPCW through the Permanent Mission of Russia,” it said.
expired meat?
An additional investigation is also being conducted into the possible poisoning of the head of the Kherson Region Provisional Administration Volodymyr Saldo with suspected chemical warfare agents, she added.
Saldo, a former mayor of the city of Kherson who was appointed head of the eponymous region when Russian troops overran it in early March, fell ill in early August.
The Defense Ministry of Ukraine did not immediately respond to the allegations, but Interior Ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko addressed the allegation on the messaging app Telegram.
“The Department [Russian defence ministry] does not clarify whether the poisoning could have been caused by expired canned meat, in which botulinum toxin is often found. Overdue rations have been massively lamented by the occupiers since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine,” he said.
Russia has said that its “special military operation” launched on February 24 aims to demilitarize Ukraine and protect Russian speakers in what President Vladimir Putin has designated as historic Russian land.
Ukraine and Western countries have viewed it as an unprovoked war of conquest aimed at erasing Ukraine’s national identity.