MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Ukraine’s security service SBU, acting with support from the Western countries, is plotting a chemical provocation against civilians with the aim of eventually blaming it on Russia, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday.
"We have reliable evidence that with support from the Western countries the SBU is plotting a chemical provocation against civilians. The purpose of the provocation is to blame Russia for using chemical weapons against Ukraine’s population," Konashenkov said.
He stressed that the Russian forces involved in the special military operation in Ukraine could not have chemical weapons by definition.
"In contrast to the United States Russia has long complied with its international commitments to eliminate all chemical weapons stockpiles," Konashenkov said.
He explained that combat documents seized from Ukraine’s 4th national guard brigade contained a detailed map of the country's territory showing storages of toxic chemicals and the types of substances kept there.
"Any SBU attempt to use poisonous chemicals for a provocation will be inevitably exposed," Konashenkov said.
He stressed that "for preventing any provocations by Ukrainian nationalists involving toxic chemicals the Russian forces instantly put all high-risk facilities in the liberated territories under control and ensure their security."