Ukrainian intelligence: FSB arrested war criminal "DPR" Basurin for disclosing data on a chemical attack

Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense (GUR) reported that FSB officers detained Kremlin "DPR" warlord Eduard Basurin for disclosing plans for the use of chemical weapons by Russian forces in Mariupol.

“It was established that after talking with the FSB officers, Eduard Basurin, the “deputy commander” of the “DPR Ministry of Defense” corps, was taken to an unknown destination.”

Basurin’s detention is most likely associated with his statement that revealed Russia’s plans to use chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces in Mariupol. The GUR report said that this wasn’t the first time that Russian special services have repressed commanders who “failed to live up to expectations” in Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

On April 11, Basurin appeared on Russian television and stated “I think that [Russian troops ] should turn to the chemical warfare forces who would find a way to smoke the moles out of their holes,” referring to Ukrainian service members in Mariupol.

Later on April 11, it was reported that Russia had used a poisonous substance against Ukrainian troops in besieged Mariupol. The report stated that a Russian drone had dropped a “poisonous substance of unknown origin” on troops and civilians in Mariupol and that victims suffered from respiratory failure.

The United States and Britain were closely monitoring this report after warning for weeks that their intelligence suggested Russia would use chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Pentagon Press Secretary, John Kirby, said that the US is aware of social media reports which claim Russian forces deployed a potential chemical munition in Mariupol, Ukraine,” and continued “we cannot confirm at this time and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

“These reports, if true, are deeply concerning and reflective of concerns that we have had about Russia’s potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine,” said Kirby.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also said her government was working “urgently” to verify details of an alleged attack.