The representative of the separatist Ukrainian Donetsk People’s Republic, Eduard Basurin, was reportedly taken by Russian FSB intelligence agents to a previously unknown location. According to Ukraine’s counterintelligence, Basurin was to reveal plans for chemical attacks in occupied Mariupol, according to Belarusian independent television Nexta.
A self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic official recently called on Russian military forces to use chemical weapons during the siege of Mariupol. Four days later, Basurin was interrogated and reportedly taken by members of the Federal Security Service to an unknown location and without further explanation.
The Main Intelligence Directorate reports that a representative of the so-called #DPRhigh-ranking separatist Eduard Basurin, was taken in an unknown direction by FSB agents.
It is he who draws up the plans for #Russian leadership to use chemical weapons in #Mariupol. pic.twitter.com/MFzkpPjO03
– NEXT (@nexta_tv)
April 16, 2022
Basurin reportedly spoke on television about a chemical attack in the Azovstal forge area in Mariupol. Hours later, the Russian military used chemical weapons against Ukrainian defenders, the Ukrainians said at the time. However, Western countries have not confirmed this information.
The Ukrainian daily Kyiv Independent now also writes that “the arrest of Eduard Basurin, the Kremlin agent in the occupied parts of Donbass, is probably linked to his statement revealing Russia’s plans to use chemical weapons in Mariupol “.
⚡️Ukrainian intelligence: FSB arrests Russia’s proxy in the Donbass following the revelation of chemical weapons.
The detention of Eduard Basurin, a Kremlin proxy in occupied parts of Donbass, is likely linked to his statement revealing Russia’s plans to use chemical weapons in Mariupol.
– Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent)
April 16, 2022
Eduard Basurin served as deputy defense minister and representative of the people’s militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. During the annexation of Crimea in 2014, he served as political commissar of the infamous Kalmi Battalion. The breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine are recognized as an independent Kremlin to immediately launch a military invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Echo24