Russian Chemical Weapons in Ukraine Could See NATO Troops Deployed—U.K.

[Boats]

Russian Chemical Weapons in Ukraine Could See NATO Troops Deployed—U.K.
By: Giulia Carbonaro - Newsweek News 4/12/22 at ~ 4:54 AM EDT
Re: https://www.newsweek.com/russian-che...y-nato-1697167

The UK's under-secretary for the armed forces, James Heappey, has revealed that "all possible options are on the table in terms of how the west might respond" if it is confirmed Russia used chemical weapons on Ukraine.

Heappey did not confirm what kind of reaction it would prompt, but said it would "certainly be effective."

"There's real value in some ambiguity," the minister said.

Note: 'Absolutely all options are on the table' if Russia has used chemical weapons in Ukraine and sending in troops cannot be ruled out, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey tells LBC. @NickFerrariLBC

Talking to BBC Radio 4's Today show, he said a reaction could take place outside of NATO involvement.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also vowed to "hold Putin and his regime to account" if reports that Russian troops used chemical weapons in their latest attack on Mariupol are verified.

"Reports that Russian forces may have used chemical agents in an attack on the people of Mariupol. We are working urgently with partners to verify details," wrote Truss on Twitter late on Monday.

"Any use of such weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict and we will hold Putin and his regime to account."
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Note: Tweet Conversation: by liz Truss @trussliz

United Kingdom government official Reports that Russian forces may have used chemical agents in an attack on the people of Mariupol. We are working urgently with partners to verify details.
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Any use of such weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict and we will hold Putin and his regime to account.
4:54 PM · Apr 11, 2022·
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The UK government has confirmed it is working with allies to verify the reports, also cited by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On Monday, Ukrainian authorities voiced reports that Russian troops had dropped a drone containing toxic chemicals over the southern port city of Mariupol.

Leader of Ukraine's Azov volunteer regiment Andriy Biletsky said that three people in Mariupol had suffered "poisoning by warfare chemicals, but without catastrophic consequences."

The claims have not yet been verified and officials in Mariupol are waiting for official information from Ukraine's military on the reports.

The city's mayor also reported that over 10,000 civilians have died so far in Mariupol since the Russians invaded Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Zelensky mentioned reports saying Russian troops might be using chemical weapons to break the defense of Mariupol.

"Today the occupiers issued a new statement, which testifies to their preparation for a new stage of terror against Ukraine and our defenders," Zelensky said.

"One of the mouthpieces of the occupiers stated that they could use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol. We take this as seriously as possible."

Mariupol, a strategic city on the Black Sea considered to be one the main targets of the Russian invasion, has been the stage of terrible devastation since the war broke out and is now possibly the most bombed and damaged city in Ukraine.

The city's defenders are still resisting Russian attacks. "Mariupol is the heart of this war today," Zelensky said in an interview last week.

"It's beating. We're fighting. We're strong. And if it stops beating we will be in a weaker position."

Addressing South Korea's National Assembly in a video speech on Monday, Zelensky said the Russians have "completely destroyed Mariupol and burned it to ashes."

Moscow has not yet commented on the claims. Back in March, Russia was escalating claims, proven false, that the U.S. and Ukraine were developing chemical or biological weapons to use against Russian troops.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials feared at the time that the claims were an attempt from Russia to justify the use of chemical and bio-weapons in Ukraine by Russian forces.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's Ministry of Defense for comment.

Update 04/12/22, 5:30 a.m. EDT: This story has been updated to add more context on the claims made against Russian forces.
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Personal note: How much more of this can be tolerated by Ukraine is questionable?
The world is now once again witnessing the cost of war. And as stated the collar
countries of surrounding Russia could be next? Until Putin is taken out of office
this will continue - and any more reprocussions will ignite further destruction
and loss of life in Europe.