The United States fears that Russia could use chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine that began nine months ago. The news is brought to the fore by the website Politico, which cites six sources with knowledge of the case. US officials believe this could be an opportunity for the Kremlin if Russian forces continue to lose ground in Ukraine.
However, according to Politico, US officials do not believe there is an imminent threat of a chemical attack in Ukraine.
However, officials in Joe Biden’s administration believe Russian President Vladimir Putin may resort to chemical weapons before “a nuclear confrontation with NATO if his forces continue to lose ground” in Ukraine, the publication writes.
The US wants to ensure that allies are prepared for this possibility and that they can mobilize resources and investment for detection systems for these chemical weapons.
People interviewed by the Politico, who prefer to remain anonymous, some of them Defense Ministry officials, indicate that Moscow may resort to chemical weapons in the war in Ukraine if there are sustained losses on the battlefield.
Weapons that are harder to detect and easier to hide. “Some chemicals can be turned into aerosols or used in munitions to harm a large group of people,” said the publication, which gives the example of a mass attack. The US National Security Council had no comment on the matter.
“We’ve always been aware that they have the resources and capability to use these types of weapons,” said a Pentagon official. “Our assessment remains the same. We are closely monitoring this conflict, but we have not seen anything that would change our position,” the source said.
It is recalled that Russia publicly claimed that the US had a secret biological weapons program, but without providing any evidence.
Politico also adds that the US has already provided Ukraine with chemical, biological and nuclear protective equipment as part of Washington’s aid package for Kiev.
Source: DN
