Russia has accused Ukraine of poisoning some of its troops near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, sparking fears the Kremlin may be creating a justification for using chemical weapons. The Interior Ministry in Kyiv responded by saying the alleged illness could have been caused by soldiers eating out-of-date canned meat. The Russian Defense Ministry said several soldiers were taken to a military hospital after showing signs of severe poisoning on July 31. Tests showed the presence of a toxic substance, botulinum toxin type B, in their bodies, he said. The ministry added in a statement: “Regarding the event of chemical terrorism approved by the Zelensky regime, Russia is preparing evidence with the results of all analyses.” He made no mention of how many soldiers were affected, what their current condition was, or what the “evidence” was. Satellite image showing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Russian-occupied Ukraine (Image: AP) A drill in the event of a possible nuclear incident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (Image: AFP via Getty) Botulinum toxin type B is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism when ingested in previously contaminated food, but may also have medical uses. Ukraine’s defense ministry did not immediately respond, but interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko commented on the Russian claim on the Telegram messaging app. “The (Russian Defense Ministry) department does not specify whether the poisoning could have been caused by expired canned meat, in which botulinum toxin is often found,” he said. “Overdue rations have been protested en masse by the occupying forces since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine.”
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The Russian Defense Ministry said it is conducting an additional investigation into an incident in which Volodymyr Saldo, the Russian command in the occupied Kherson region of Ukraine, fell ill. Saldo, a former mayor of the city of Kherson, who was appointed head of the region of the same name when Russian troops occupied it in early March, fell ill in early August. Russia says its “special military operation” launched on February 24 is aimed at demilitarizing Ukraine and protecting Russian speakers in what President Vladimir Putin has called historic Russian land. Kyiv and Western countries see it as an unprovoked war of conquest aimed at eradicating Ukraine’s national identity. Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected] For more stories like this, check out our news page.
