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Russia to pour over OPCW report on use of toxins in Ukraine — diplomat

"After careful analysis of the report, Russian specialists will issue their expert opinion on this matter," Vladimir Tarabrin noted

THE HAGUE, November 29. /TASS/. Russia will pour over the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) report on the use of toxic substances in Ukraine, Russia’s Ambassador to The Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the organization Vladimir Tarabrin said.

"After careful analysis of the report, Russian specialists will issue their expert opinion on this matter," he noted. "And we will inform the member states about it."

"For now, all I can say is that a familiar formula was used while drafting this report, same as the one used in Syria," he said. "OPCW experts received 'physical evidence' that was obtained from God knows where or how, as well as vague testimonies from purported witnesses."

According to Tarabrin, it was no surprise that this document was distributed among the OPCW members right ahead of the conference of its member states. "This is a well-known tactic which was used by Damascus’ opponents for years to create a specific narrative before important meetings of governing bodies and set a tone for the discussion on the Syrian chemical dossier," he stressed.

"So, this step by the Kiev regime is nothing more than an element of a Western-orchestrated information campaign geared, among other things, to distract the international communities’ attention from Ukrainian militants’ crimes," he added.

On November 18, the OPCW released a report alleging that samples taken from the frontlines in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk region contained traces of a toxic substance which irritates the eyes and upper airways, one that typically is not fatal. The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the use of riot control means as warfare methods.