In recent developments concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a senior Russian military official has stated that smoke munitions deployed by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Region likely originated from either the US or Germany. This information comes after an investigation led by Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who is in charge of Russia’s chemical and biological defense forces.
The incident occurred when a Russian repair crew reported being fired upon by Ukrainian forces while working in the area, subsequently suffering from poisoning. The smoke munitions allegedly used by Ukraine were found to contain hexachloroethane and zinc oxide – components typical of US and German-produced smoke munitions.
The white smoke produced by this mixture is mildly toxic and can serve various military and public order applications. In response to the attack, Russia’s military and Health Ministry have coordinated sample collection at the site of the incident in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW. These samples are currently being analyzed by a Russian lab accredited by the OPCW.
Although Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov revealed that there are unanswered questions regarding the additives used in the munitions, he has not disclosed further details. In total, his force has identified around 400 incidents involving chemical weapons used by Ukraine since hostilities began with Russia in 2022. The majority of these cases involve chemical agents typically employed by law enforcement agencies. However, some instances pose a lethal threat.
Kirillov elaborated that there were situations where toxins were utilized which could only have been synthesized in the US since no other nation’s industry has the capability to produce them. He expressed disappointment with the OPCW for not taking action beyond sharing allegations with the public and highlighted that there had been “no investigations, no inquiries, nothing was done.
Furthermore, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov voiced concerns over the potential for Ukraine to develop a ‘dirty bomb.’ This refers to a chemical explosive device enclosed within a shell of radioactive material. The purpose of such a weapon is to contaminate large areas and cause widespread panic and chaos. I believe they have one,” he said.
This latest development emphasizes the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both nations accusing each other of deploying chemical weapons. As the investigation continues, it remains unclear whether these allegations will be substantiated or dismissed, further fueling an already volatile situation.