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Russia’s defence ministry has accused Ukraine of poisoning some of its troops in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia.

The ministry said a number of Russian servicemen had been taken to a military hospital with signs of serious poisoning on 31 July. 

Tests showed a toxic substance, botulinum toxin type B, in their bodies, the ministry claimed.

“On the fact of chemical terrorism sanctioned by the (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy regime, Russia is preparing supporting evidence with the results of all the analyses,” the ministry said in a statement.

It did not say how many soldiers had suffered or what their condition was now. It also did not say what the “supporting evidence” was.

An adviser to Ukraine’s interior ministry said in response that the alleged poisoning could have been caused by Russian forces eating expired canned meat.

Botulinum toxin type B is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism when ingested in previously contaminated food products, but it can also have medical uses.

Ukraine’s defence ministry has not commented on the claim but interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app: “The department (Russian defence ministry) does not clarify whether the poisoning could have been caused by expired canned meat, in which botulinum toxin is often found. 

“Overdue rations have been massively complained about by the occupying forces since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine.”