Syrian parallels raise fears about chemical weapon use in Ukraine

Western officials have warned of their “serious concern” that President Putin could use chemical weapons in Ukraine.

A source said that an attack on the capital of Kyiv would be “utterly horrific” if Russian forces overcame the logistical problems that are suspected to be delaying their attack.

An official said: “I think we’ve got good reason to be concerned about possible use of non-conventional weapons, partly because of what we’ve seen in other theatres.”

The official cited operations in Syria and recent “false flag” claims that Russia was using as a justification for the Ukraine invasion, adding: “So it’s a serious concern for us.”

The Chinese foreign ministry has echoed Russian claims that the United States ran up to 26 laboratories in Ukraine and had developed “large quantities of dangerous viruses” for potential biological weapons use. Beijing said this week that its alliance with Moscow was “iron clad” and has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine.

“The US biological labs in Ukraine have raised great concerns,” Zhao Lijian, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said. “According to media reports, these biological labs store large quantities of dangerous pathogens. Russia, in its military operations, has discovered that the US is using these facilities to conduct biological war plans.”

Zhao demanded that the US, “as the party that knows the labs the best, should release details about them as soon as possible, including the types of viruses and the kinds of research”.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said that evidence of the alleged programme had been uncovered during what it calls its “military operation” in Ukraine. It involved deadly pathogens including plague and anthrax, she claimed.

Ukraine has “strictly denied” the allegations. In response to earlier Russian claims about the purported military biological programme in Ukraine, a Pentagon spokesman said: “This absurd Russian misinformation is patently false.”

In 2018 Russia used its state media to spread allegations that Syrian rebels were preparing chemical weapons with the help of the West. Moscow was said to be behind a chemical attack on the city.

Russia has made allegations about the US working with Ukrainian laboratories to develop biological weapons for several years, accusations that increased in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Both countries have consistently denied the claims.