CCD: Russians launching drones with chemical agents over Ukraine

Russian forces have started launching drones with payloads that carry toxic substances over Ukraine, the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) reports, citing intelligence data and information from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.

“The enemy is using [Iranian-provided] Shahed-type kamikaze drones equipped with toxic substances,” the CCD said.

One of the drones was found to contain a capsule with a concentrated chemical warfare agent known as CS, one of the most commonly used tear gases in the world. 

“The enemy’s UAVs could disperse these toxic capsules to harm people,” the CCD said.

Earlier, the international open-source intelligence group InformNapalm also reported on the presence of toxic substances in the drones.

“We received reports from several military sources today that Russian forces are applying chemical agents to their Shahed 136/’Geran-2′ drones to inflict additional harm on individuals collecting the wreckage of downed drones,” InformNapalm said.

The group also pointed out that Russia has a long history and legacy of developing chemical warfare agents.

“Russian intelligence services operating abroad have been known to use these substances in particularly cruel ways to target opponents of Putin,” the report said.