The Pentagon is closely monitoring social media reports claiming Russian forces deployed chemical weapons in Mariupol, Ukraine, Defense Department press secretary John Kirby said on Monday.
Why it matters: Moscow has a long history of using chemical weapons, and the White House has warned that Russian forces may be preparing to "use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine."
Driving the news: The original report was made on Telegram, where the Azov Regiment — a far-right nationalist battalion defending Mariupol — posted a message alleging that Russian forces used "a poisonous substance of unknown origin," according to CNBC.
What they're saying: "We are aware of social media reports which claim Russian forces deployed a potential chemical munition in Mariupol, Ukraine," Kirby said Monday evening in a statement to outlets including Axios. "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."
Between the lines: Eduard Basurin, a spokesperson for the Kremlin-backed separatist Donetsk People's Republic said Monday on Russian TV that Russia's military should use "chemical forces" in Mariupol and "smoke out the moles," per the New York Times.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Basurin's comments in a televised address Monday night, saying: "Today, the occupiers issued a new statement, which testifies to their preparation for a new stage of terror against Ukraine and our defenders.
- "One of the mouthpieces of the occupiers stated that they could use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol. We take this as seriously as possible," he added.
- Zelensky had yet to comment on the Azov Regiment's claims.
The big picture: British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also said the U.K. government was working "urgently" to verify the alleged use of chemical agents.
- "Any use of such weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict and we will hold Putin and his regime to account," she tweeted.
- France has already sent crime scene and forensic experts to help investigate possible war crimes in parts of Ukraine previously occupied by Russian forces.
By the numbers: Russia's unprovoked invasion has forced more than 4.3 million people to flee Ukraine.
- Nearly "two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have been displaced," according to the United Nations.
Go deeper: Why allegations of chemical weapons use are hard to investigate
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Basurin and Zelensky and with details on the number of Ukrainian children displaced.
