An adviser to Ukraine’s interior ministry said in response that the suspected poisoning could have been caused by Russian forces eating expired meat. The Russian Defense Ministry said several Russian servicemen were taken to a military hospital with signs of severe poisoning on July 31. Tests showed a toxic substance, botulism toxin type B, in their bodies, he said.

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“Regarding the event of chemical terrorism approved by the (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky regime, Russia is preparing evidence with the results of all analyses,” the ministry said in a statement. Story continues below ad He did not say how many soldiers suffered or what their condition is now. He did not say what the “evidence” was. 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 to a Reuters request for comment, but interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko commented on the Russian claim on the Telegram messaging app. 3:31 A look at the Russian ‘troll factory’ behind the anti-Ukraine disinformation campaign A look at the Russian ‘troll factory’ behind the anti-Ukraine disinformation campaign – August 12, 2022 “The department (the Russian Defense Ministry) does not specify whether the poisoning could have been caused by expired canned meats, in which botulism toxin is often found. Late rations have been protested en masse by the occupying forces since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine,” he said. The Russian Defense Ministry said it is conducting an additional investigation into an incident in which Volodymyr Saldo, Russia’s command in the occupied Kherson region of Ukraine, fell ill. Story continues below ad 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. Ukraine and Western countries see it as an unprovoked war of conquest aimed at eradicating Ukraine’s national identity. (Reporting by Reuters Editing by Timothy Heritage)