Three years of reporting, funded by our readers — become a member now and help us prepare for 2025.
Goal: 1,000 new members for our birthday. Gift a membership to your friend and help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Become a member Gift membership
Skip to content
Edit post

Ukrainian intelligence: Russia starts false-flag operation with chemical weapons in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

by The Kyiv Independent news desk May 27, 2023 6:15 PM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

The Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported on May 27 that Russian forces have begun a false-flag operation involving chemical weapons in occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast in what it said was "an attempt to disrupt the counteroffensive."

The intelligence suggested that Russian soldiers would be "the real victims" of Moscow's "provocation." The intelligence accused Moscow of planning to frame Ukraine as the guilty party by using traces of chemical weapons on Russian soldiers' bodies as fake evidence.

The intelligence published intercepted messages where Russian soldiers allegedly reported a threat of a chemical weapons attack by the Ukrainian forces.

The  Ukrainian military intelligence denied the allegations.

"We emphasize that the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine during hostilities with Russian troops use only conventional means," the statement reads.

Moscow has not reacted to the Ukrainian military intelligence's allegations yet.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has repeatedly threatened the use of chemical and nuclear weapons as soon as its war efforts fell short of its expectations and it began losing ground in Ukraine.

Ukraine's report of a chemical "provocation" in the occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast comes as Ukraine's forces are preparing to launch a much-anticipated counteroffensive. Many believe that the operation may kick off in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Where does Russia expect Ukraine’s counterattack? Overview of defensive lines
As Ukraine gathers forces for the counteroffensive, Russia continues to build defensive lines on a massive scale. The lines are especially formidable in the southwestern part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where many observers expect the main Ukrainian assault to strike. But defenses have been prepared a…

Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. Thanks to our community we've been able to keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone. For our third birthday, we're looking for 1,000 new members to help fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Three years. Millions of readers. All thanks to 12,000 supporters.
It’s thanks to readers like you that we can celebrate another birthday this November. We’re looking for another 1,000 members to help fund our mission, keep our journalism accessible for all, and prepare for whatever 2025 might bring. Consider gifting a membership today or help us spread the word.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Become a member Gift membership
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

3:44 PM

Russian ICBM strike would be 'clear escalation,' EU says.

"While we're assessing the full facts, it's obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of (Russian President Vladimir Putin," EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said, according to AFP.
1:40 PM

Merkel describes Trump as 'fascinated by Putin' in her memoir.

"(Donald Trump) saw everything from the point of view of a property developer, which is what he was before he came into politics. Every plot of land could only be sold once, and if he didn't get it, someone else would," Angela Merkel says in her memoir.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.