(Reuters) – Russia’s Defence Ministry accused Ukraine of poisoning the Moscow-installed governors of Ukraine’s Kherson and Luhansk regions, claiming that both were still alive. In a briefing published online, the ministry alleged that Ukraine had poisoned Moscow-appointed Luhansk governor Leonid Pasechnik in December 2023, and Kherson head Vladimir Saldo in August 2022. It is worth noting that Kherson and Luhansk regions were among four Ukrainian provinces that Russia declared it had annexed in September 2022, despite not fully controlling any of them. The briefing indicated that on Dec. 5 Pasechnik, a former officer in Ukraine’s SBU security service turned pro-Russia separatist, “received severe poisoning with phenolic compounds”. However, no further information was provided about the current state of his health.
The briefing also mentioned that Saldo, a former mayor of Kherson city and pro-Russian lawmaker in Ukraine’s parliament, had been hospitalized on Aug. 9, 2022, with symptoms of poisoning. Russian-installed authorities in Kherson had previously stated in August 2022 that Saldo had fallen sick but did not mention poisoning. Saldo has since returned to public prominence in the Russian-controlled part of Kherson region.
Since tens of thousands of Russian troops entered Ukraine in February 2022, the country has seen a series of attacks against Russian-installed officials in the Moscow-held parts of the country. These attacks, which have been blamed on Ukraine by Moscow, have resulted in several targets being killed and more being wounded in bombings and shootings. The Defence Ministry’s allegations against Ukraine add to the already heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The Defence Ministry’s accusations are just the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Kremlin has consistently accused Ukraine of fueling the conflict and inciting violence in the regions it claims control over. Meanwhile, Ukraine has adamantly denied these allegations and accused Russia of aggression and annexation of its territories. The accusations from both sides continue to exacerbate the already volatile situation in the region, contributing to ongoing instability and conflict.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had far-reaching implications and has drawn international attention and concern. The allegations from Russia’s Defence Ministry underscore the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the conflict, as well as the strategies and tactics employed by both sides to advance their respective agendas and secure their interests in the region. The situation remains fluid and unpredictable, with the potential for further escalation and destabilization in the region.
It is essential for the international community to closely monitor the developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and to actively seek diplomatic and peaceful resolutions to mitigate the tensions and prevent further violence and suffering in the region. The implications of the conflict extend beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia and have significant implications for regional and global stability and security. It is imperative for all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperative efforts to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict and to foster lasting peace and stability in the region.
(Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Potter)
