Kyiv accuses Russia of chemical attack on beseiged city of Mariupol

Kyiv has accused Russia of using an unidentified chemical substance in the city of Mariupol which has been besieged by Russian troops for 47 days. 

Reportedly three individuals have been affected by the attack, Andriy Biletsky, the founder of the Azov Regiment said on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He stated that Russians used the chemical substance within the Azovstal plant of Mariupol. 

“Speaking of the practical side of the strike, it was small. Three persons are showing clear signs of poisoning with warfare chemicals, but no catastrophic effects. These idiots [Russians – Ed.] cannot even use the weapons of mass destruction properly. Talking of the moral side, this indicates the cowardice of Russians only,” Biletsky said. 

In his words, Russia’s use of such weapons shows they are unable to capture Mariupol, as well as defeat the Ukrainian military.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says her government is working “urgently” to verify details of an alleged chemical weapons attack. 

A Pentagon spokesperson has stated that  the reports were not confirmed, but they reflect the US’ concerns about Russia’s “potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine.”

Mariupol Mayor Vadim Boichenko says  there were still 120,000 civilians in Mariupol. He said they urgently need food, water and medicine.

He stated that at least 10,000 civilians have been killed there by Russians since the beginning of the invasion in late February.

The mayor claimed that Russian troops are now collecting bodies and storing them in refrigerators in a huge shopping mall.

He said that Russians have crematoria on the ground to burn the bodies  in order to hide war crimes.