Russian military authorities claim that Ukrainian officials allowed the deployment of toxic substances against Russian troops. The defense ministry reports a significant number of Russian soldiers in the Zaporozhye region were hospitalized with poisoning symptoms. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 20, officials said that in the context of battlefield setbacks in the Donbass and other areas, the Zelensky regime authorized acts of terrorism using chemical poisons against Russian service members and civilians. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Nearly three weeks earlier, Moscow referenced an incident dated July 31 where soldiers stationed near Vasilyevka in the Zaporozhye region were admitted with severe poisoning symptoms. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Following examinations, a toxic agent identified as botulinum toxin type B was found in the body of the affected personnel. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Officials noted that investigations carried out by the Main Research and Testing Institute of Military Medicine in St. Petersburg, under the Russian Defense Ministry, confirmed the presence of an organic toxin of artificial origin, botulinum toxin type B. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
The Russian Federation is preparing documentation to submit the results of all analyses related to these cases to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The ministry stated that Kyiv’s chemical-terrorism allegations would be formally conveyed to the OPCW via Russia’s Permanent Mission. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Balance Event
Based on the evidence collected, authorities are continuing to investigate the possibility of chemical attack against Volodymyr Saldo, the head of Kherson region administration. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
A Telegram channel on August 9 reported that Saldo, who had been treated at the Sklifovsky Institute in Moscow, regained consciousness and began responding to medical care. (attribution: Basis Telegram channel)
Medical staff described his condition as stable but serious. (attribution: Basis Telegram channel)
At that time, the diagnosis mentioning poisoning with an unknown substance was updated, and doctors later documented that Saldo suffers from unspecified encephalopathy, purulent tracheobronchitis, and pneumonia. (attribution: Basis Telegram channel)
On August 4, Saldo announced his hospitalization after examinations and interim actions. The Kherson regional government appointed Sergey Eliseev as acting head. Within hours, officials informed that Saldo was in moderate condition and in a medically induced coma. (attribution: Basis Telegram channel)
Claims by Baza that Saldo was poisoned by Ukrainian saboteurs were denied by Kherson regional administration officials. (attribution: Kherson regional administration)