Ukraine: Russia reportedly drops chemical weapons in Mariupol

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Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has gone on for 48 days now, with reports estimating at least 24000 dead. His invasion has not gone as well as they originally anticipated, as nearly two months in, Ukrainian forces continue to counterattack to regain control of territories north of Kyiv. This conflict may now reach its next brutal stage, as the Deputy head of Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Militia hinted at the possible use of chemical weapons usage in Mariupol’s Azovstal Steel Plant.

Mariupol, one of the largest cities in Ukraine, has been at the centre of a brutal attack by Russia, with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky declaring yesterday that the city was “completely destroyed”.

Azovstal is notable for being one of Europe’s biggest iron and steelworks and was badly damaged during shelling by Russian forces.

Speaking at a press conference, Eduard Basurin, claimed that the steel plant could be housing up to 4,000 nationalists.

He then hinted at a plan of using chemical weapons on the Ukrainian forces inside, stating that there was no point in storming the Azovstal underground fortifications in Mariupol.

He was quoted by Russian state television as saying: “When capturing Azovstal in Mariupol, you need to act more cunningly in order to avoid losses, because of the underground floors.

“It is pointless to storm the object.”

He also mentioned plans to find and blockade all the exits and entrances to the steel plant.

He added: “It is possible to accomplish.

“The chemical troops, I believe, will then find a means to smoke moles out of their holes.”

This comes amidst reports that Russian forces have dropped a “poisonous substance of unknown origin” from a drone on military and civilian targets in Mariupol, according to the city’s Azov Battalion.

People are reportedly suffering respiratory failure and neurological problems as a result.

The controversial military arm states: “The victims have respiratory failure, vestibulo-atactic syndrome.

“The consequences of using an unknown substance are being clarified.”

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These reports of chemical attacks could be a spark that ignites a global conflict, as US President Joe Biden warned last month that the US or NATO would respond if Russia uses chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Mr Biden said: “We would respond. We would respond if he uses it.

“The nature of the response would depend on the nature of the use.”

Western powers have been concerned about a chemical attack for a month now, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg revealing on March 24 that the alliance had activated chemical, biological, and nuclear defence elements in preparation for a Russian attack.

He said: “We are concerned because Russia might use the pretext of NATO preparing for a biological attack to carry out the same in Ukraine.

“If it happens, it’ll change the nature of the conflict. It won’t just affect Ukraine but also NATO countries,”

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