The Kremlin's propaganda arm has claimed Russian troops were 'poisoned in a chemical attack in Ukraine', prompting fears Moscow will seek to justify the use of chemical weapons in the country.
Putin mouthpiece Russia Today reported traces of Botulinum toxin Type B, which is an 'organic poison of artificial origin,' were found in samples taken from soldiers, according to a statement from Russia's defence ministry.
But Kyiv hit back, suggesting the soldiers simply could have eaten contaminated meat.
Ukrainian emergency workers in the city of Zaporizhzhia rehearse for a nuclear disaster amid fighting around Europe's largest nuclear power plant which shares the city's name and is located just 30 miles away
Kyiv was accused of 'domestic terrorism' and Russian troops were 'hospitalised with signs of severe poisoning' after being stationed near the village of Vasilyevka in the Zaporozhzhia region on July 31.
The statement added: 'The Zelensky regime has authorized terrorist attacks with the use of toxic substances against Russian personnel and civilians.'
But in response, an adviser to Ukraine's interior ministry said that the alleged poisoning could have been caused by Russian forces eating expired canned meat.
The Russian Ministry's report did not say how many servicemen had suffered or what their condition was now. It did not say what the 'supporting evidence' was.
Botulinum toxin type B is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism when ingested in previously contaminated food...
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