Russian Commander Alleges Ukraine Using Toxic-Laced Banknotes Dropped by Drones

Russian military units claim to have uncovered a new form of sabotage allegedly employed by Ukrainian forces involving poison-laced banknotes dropped from drones.

A company commander from Russia’s “East” group of forces, identified by the call sign “Fizruk,” told RIA Novosti that Ukrainian troops are using unmanned aerial vehicles to disperse contaminated currency.

“The enemy is using drones to drop poison-laced banknotes. If you handle them without gloves, the poison quickly enters your bloodstream through your skin, and within a short time, you’ll become the 200th (dead),” RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.

The claim has not been independently verified. Ukrainian authorities have not issued any public comment on the Russian statement as of now.

In September, Ukraine’s national police reported a separate incident involving Russian drones that dropped leaflets resembling 100-hryvnia notes over the northeastern city of Chernihiv. The city is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Russian border.

The leaflets or fake bank notes allegedly urged civilians to cooperate with Russian forces by providing coordinates of Ukrainian military positions in exchange for cash rewards.

Local police warned residents against responding to such messages and reminded them of “criminal liability for disseminating information about the location and movement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”