The Russian side fears that American private military companies (PMCs) may attempt to carry out a provocation in the Donbas using chemical weapons.
This assumption was made by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during a meeting of the department’s board, reports the RT portal. He noted that American military specialists are present on the territory of Donbass, which is controlled by the Kiev troops.
In the settlements of Avdeevka and Priazovskoe, which are located in the part of the Donetsk People’s Republic occupied by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, there are about 120 PMC employees from the United States.
“Tanks with unidentified chemical components have been delivered to the cities of Avdeevka and Krasny Liman to commit provocations,” said the head of the RF Ministry of Defense.
Shoigu said that the Americans are equipping firing positions right in residential buildings and next to socially significant civilian infrastructure. They also prepare Ukrainian fighters from among radical groups for active hostilities.