UK says Russia may be planning chemical or biological attack on Ukraine

An armed policeman stands at the site where a shell exploded and damaged a residential building, as the Russian attack on Ukraine continues, in kyiv, Ukraine March 14, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

March 14 (Reuters) – Britain’s Ministry of Defense said in a tweet on Monday that Russia may consider using chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine in response to a fake attack on Russian troops.

He cited no evidence to support the claim in what he called an intelligence update. US officials have made similar statements.

The Twitter post noted“Such an operation could take the form of a fake attack, a staged ‘discovery’ of agents or ammunition or fabricated evidence of an alleged Ukrainian plan to use such weapons.”

He said the Defense Ministry had seen no evidence to support Russia’s accusations that Ukraine planned to use chemical and biological weapons.

The United Nations said Friday it had no evidence Ukraine had a biological weapons program, while Washington and its allies accused Russia of spreading the unproven claim as a possible prelude to launching its own. biological or chemical attacks. Read more

Speaking to reporters on Friday, US President Joe Biden warned Russia that it would pay a “heavy price” if its military were to use chemical weapons against Ukraine.

Reporting by Nishit Jogi and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Howard Goller

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