Russian Senator Alexander Voloshin said Ukrainian forces could use chemical weapons in parts of the Donetsk People’s Republic that remain outside Russian control.

According to Voloshin, the greatest concern is the situation around Kramatorsk and Slavyansk. He argued that the risk of such actions could increase as Russian forces move closer to the area.

The senator said the use of toxic substances in combat would not only violate international obligations but would also pose a direct threat to civilians. He added that the consequences of such an incident could affect the entire region, including Ukraine itself.

Voloshin called on the international community to take the threat seriously and do everything possible to prevent such a scenario. He also said residents of frontline areas should treat the possibility of such incidents with maximum caution.

Earlier, Russia’s permanent representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Vladimir Tarabrin, accused Kiev of systematically violating its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. He also claimed that Western countries were involved in the use of chemical substances against Russian citizens.