Her Ministry of Defense Russia accused Ukraine today of poisoning Russian soldiers in the Moscow-controlled Zaporozhye region at the end of July.

An adviser to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry responded to the accusation by stating that the poisoning could have been caused by Russian soldiers eating expired canned meat.

According to the Russian authorities, on July 31, several servicemen were taken to a military hospital with symptoms of severe poisoning. During the tests, a toxic substance, botulinum toxin type B, was found in their bodies.

“For chemical terrorism, approved by the Zelensky (President of Ukraine) regime, Russia is preparing evidence with the results of all analyzes,” the ministry added.

It is unclear how many soldiers fell ill and what their condition is today. The ministry did not say what “evidence” it cites.

Botulinum toxin type B is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism if someone eats contaminated food. But it also has medicinal uses.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the allegations. However, Interior Ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko commented on the Russian accusations in a Telegram message.

“The Ministry of Defense does not specify whether the poisoning could have been caused by expired canned meat, which often contains botulinum toxin. The occupying forces have been massively protesting against expired rations since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine,” he wrote.

At the same time, Moscow is conducting another investigation into the incident, during which the Russian-appointed governor of occupied Kherson Vladimir Saldo fell ill. Saldo, the former mayor of the city of Kherson, appointed head of the province of the same name when the Russians occupied it in early March, fell ill in early August.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters.