WASHINGTON — U.S. officials are worried that Russia might be preparing to use chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine, after the Russian Defense Ministry suggested that Ukraine could have planned a false flag chemical weapon attack.
A senior administration official stated that the U.S. was concerned about the Russians making claims “to justify a fake-flag operation, or them using chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine.”
The official stated that “We believe that we should look out for Russia’s use of chemical or biological weapons.” The U.S. is also worried that Russia might be making claims to justify its continued invasion in Ukraine.
False flag operations are when one side commits an act in order to make it seem that the other side did it. This is often done to justify attacking the other side.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated Wednesday that Ukraine was preparing to use poisonous substances in a provocation. Igor Konashenkov was the spokesperson for the ministry. He stated that the purpose of the provocation is to blame Russia for using chemical weapons.
Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated that the U.S. took note of Russia’s “false allegations” and had also heard Chinese officials “echo these conspiratorial theories.”
Psaki, who was referring to Russia’s claims, stated that “To be clear: This is preposterous.”
The claims are now made. “We should all be looking out for Russia to possibly use chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine, if not, to create a false flag operation using them.” She continued, “It’s a clear pattern and no one should fall for that.”
Security and disinformation experts continue their warnings about Russia’s attempts to create a narrative that explains the conflict, while claiming it has legitimate reasons. They have pointed out the war in Syria where Russia supported the regime of Bashar al-Assad as an example of a government trying to blame its illegal weapon use on the victims.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated Wednesday that Ukrainians living in Zolochiv, a small Ukrainian city, had brought in more than 80 tons of ammonia. They are also teaching the people of the area how to react after a chemical attack. The Russians did not provide any evidence of chemical weapons.
