DISINFO: US private military contractors are preparing to use chemical weapons in Ukraine
SUMMARY
US mercenaries (PMC) are preparing a provocation by using chemical weapons in war-torn Eastern Ukraine. Tanks containing unknown chemical agents have been transported to the cities of Adiyivka (Avgyeevka) and Krasny Lyman to carry out provocations.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation message about an alleged US provocation being planned in Ukraine using chemical weapons.
There is no evidence to substantiate claims about the preparation for chemical weapons attacks. There are also no private foreign armies in Eastern Ukraine that would fight together with Ukrainian troops.
However, it is an established fact that Russian mercenaries fight with Moscow-backed armed formations in Eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin himself admitted that some Russian active-duty servicemen fight in non-government-controlled areas while they are "on holiday". The EU last month imposed sanctions targeting a Russian paramilitary company, Wagner, citing the group’s operations in Eastern Ukraine, Libya, Syria and the Central African Republic.
Russia is launching this kind of fakes to justify its military buildup along Ukraine’s border and to use them as a pretext for a possible invasion of Ukraine.
Read more disinformation narratives alleging that foreign mercenaries are fighting Donbas.