Britain is “working urgently” to verify reports that Russian forces may have launched a chemical attack in Ukraine, the UK Foreign Secretary has said.
Liz Truss became one of the first Western senior politicians to speak out last night as Britain warned “all options are on the table” if chemical weapons are confirmed.
Asked if that could mean direct NATO involvement, Armed Forces minister James Heappey told the BBC: “All options are on the table”.
However he did also point he could not unilaterally pledge NATO involvement, and any response could also happen separately to the alliance.
It comes after unconfirmed reports from the besieged port city of Mariupol, whose mayor said more than 10,000 civilians have died in weeks of fighting.
On Monday evening, Ivanna Klympush, a Ukrainian MP, tweeted: " Russia 1.5hr ago used unknown substance in #Mariupol.
"Victims experience respiratory failure, vestib.-atactic syndrome. Most likely chem.weapons!
"This is red line beyond which must destroy economy of despotism. We demand full embargo on all fuels from #RU &heavy weapons 2UA now!"
The far-right Ukrainian Azov regiment said: "Russian occupation forces used a poisonous substance of unknown origin against Ukrainian military and civilians in the city of Mariupol, which was dropped from an enemy drone.
"The victims have respiratory failure... the effects of the unknown substance are being clarified."
Ms Truss tweeted: “Reports that Russian forces may have used chemical agents in an attack on the people of Mariupol. We are working urgently with partners to verify details.
“Any use of such weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict and we will hold Putin and his regime to account.”
It comes after weeks of warnings, both from Western officials and politicians such as Boris Johnson, that it appeared Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing to use chemical weapons.
Britain was yesterday increasingly worried that Russia could use white phosphorus munitions in the bombardment of the city.
White phosphorus is used for illumination at night or to create a smokescreen, but when it is deployed as a weapon it causes horrific burns.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky last night did not say chemical weapons had been used, but added: “We treat this with the utmost seriousness.
"I would like to remind world leaders that the possible use of chemical weapons by the Russian military has already been discussed.
“And already at that time it meant that it was necessary to react to the Russian aggression much harsher and faster."
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby added from the US government: “We cannot confirm at this time and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
“These reports, if true, are deeply concerning and reflective of concerns that we have had about Russia's potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine."
UK Armed Forces minister James Heappey admitted this morning that Britain still knew “nothing more” than the reports media have carried.
“We have not been able to verify those ourselves,” he told Sky News.
But speaking to the BBC he added: “If they have, as the Foreign Secretary have said, the people responsible will be held to account.
“The use of chemical weapons is abhorrent, does cross a line, and all options are on the table for how we respond.”
Mr Heappey also confirmed Ukrainian troops will arrive in the UK in days for armoured vehicle training with the British military.
He told LBC Radio: “There’s 120 armoured vehicles that are in the process of being made ready.
“And the Ukrainian troops that will operate them will arrive in the UK in the next few days to learn how to drive and command those vehicles.
“There’s more anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons systems we’re sending. There are precision-guided weapons we’re sending.”
Radio host Nick Ferrari told him: “That’s tremendous, so we’re going to be training Ukrainian blokes and women on our kit here in the UK?”
“Yes,” replied Mr Heappey.
It came hours after Mariupol's mayor said more than 10,000 civilians have died in the Russian siege of his city and the death toll could surpass 20,000.
It comes after the Russian invasion shifted from the gates of Kyiv to the east of Ukraine.
A huge offensive is expected in the Donbas region ahead of Russia’s annual ‘Victory Day’ parade on May 9.
Officials have said Putin will double or even possibly triple the number of Russian troops in the Donbas as the Russian president resorts to a "diminished" invasion strategy.
The European Union said on Monday that more sanctions on Russia are an option.
Ukraine’s President said: “It is time to make this package in such a way that we would not hear even words about weapons of mass destruction from the Russian side.
“An oil embargo against Russia is a must.
“Any new package of sanctions against Russia that does not affect oil will be received in Moscow with a smile."
Britain has said it will phase out imports of Russian oil and coal by the end of this year, but gas will take longer.
