Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed on Tuesday that toxic clouds were moving towards the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on suspicion of a “false flag” attack by Ukrainian special forces.
“The Kyiv administration continues to organize false flag operations to accuse Russian troops of using toxic substances,” the Russian Defense Ministry said, according to state media. The alleged toxic cloud flew up to a kilometer (about 0.5 miles) into the air.
Russian officials said a toxic cloud was created after Kieu’s army detonated an explosive device containing ammonium nitrate. According to the ministry, the explosion occurred near the village of Mazanovka near Kramatorsk at around 1:35 pm local time.
The Epoch Times could not immediately confirm Russia’s claim. Ukrainian authorities have not made public comments on this case.
Kramatorsk is located in the Donetsk region under the control of the Ukrainian Army. Other parts of Donetsk have been dominated by pro-Russian separatist forces since 2014.
Ukrainian officials Said CNN said Tuesday that a missile was launched in the town of Bakumut in Donetsk, destroying a five-story building, killing at least one person and further injuring him. Bakumut is considered an important area for the pro-Kiev army as the hospital treats injured Ukrainian soldiers.
“Russians will not stop mass bombardment along the entire front line from Vredal to Bakumut,” said Pablo Kirirenko, head of the Donetsk junta, accusing Russia of conducting missile strikes.
More than 250 Ukrainian fighters surrendered to Russian troops at the Azovstal iron and mill in Mariupol, and Kieu said Tuesday ordered a full garrison to evacuate, ending Europe’s bloodiest battle for decades. ..
A Reuters reporter saw the bus leave the steelworks overnight and five of them arrived in the Russian-owned town of Novaazovsk. There Moscow said the injured would be treated. One was marked with the letter “Z”, a symbol of Russian assault, in which the injured man was piled up on a three-tiered stretcher. A man was moved and his head was tightly wrapped in a thick bandage.
“The’Mariupol’garrison has fulfilled its combat mission,” the Ukrainian Army General Staff said in a statement. “The Supreme Military Command has ordered the commanders of the troops stationed in Azofustari to save the lives of their staff.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
follow
Jack Phillips is the latest news reporter for The Epoch Times, based in New York.