Russian Defense Ministry rejects reports that Syrian army used chemical weapons against militants in Douma
HMEIMIM. April 8 (Interfax) - The reports that the Syrian government forces used chlorine-filled chemical bombs against militants in the town of Douma, the Eastern Ghouta area, are untrue, Russian military officials said.
"We resolutely reject these allegations," Maj. Gen. Yury Yevtushenko, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, said on Sunday.
"We express our readiness to send, immediately after Douma is freed from militants, Russian experts specializing in radiation, chemical and biological protection to collect data that will prove the fabrication nature of these statements," Yevtushenko said.
"Several Western countries" are trying to prevent the operation on militants' withdrawal from Douma from being resumed, went on.
"For this purpose, the West is using its favorite theme of chemical weapons use by the government forces of Syrian Arab Republic," he said.
A number of non-governmental organizations, including the White Helmets, reported that the Syrian Armed Forces dropped a chlorine-filled bomb on Douma on Saturday. Those organizations "are well-known for their fake news stories", Yevtushenko said.