World Affairs International

The 64-km convoy amassed near Kyiv has been partially dispersed, according to MAXAR satellite imagery.

The convoy, which was previously stalled for several days while facing relentless attacks from Ukrainian SOF and TB2 drones, melted away and has redeployed to smaller units in the forest outskirts of the city.

While many viewed the news as a welcome development, the repositioning of troops in smaller staging areas may be the precursor to a purported chemical attack, which U.S. intel confirmed was being considered by the Kremlin.

Russia continues to accuse the United States and Ukraine of hosting chemical weapons, and backed by China, have arranged for the United Nations Security Council to convene on Friday, March 11th. This meeting will discuss Moscow’s claims of ‘biological activities’ in Ukraine, actions which Washington has completely denied.

But Putin’s baseless accusations are indicative of what his own administration is thinking, according to anonymous sources within the Kremlin.

A chemical or biological attack would be an unheard-of escalation; by exposing the plot before it could happen, much like the invasion itself, the U.S. has drawn a clear red line, indicating an escalation of its own should Putin cross it. And this comes from a very prudent America, allowing Scholz and Macron to represent the West in talks with Russia and being reticent to provide ‘offensive’ materiel support such as planes. Any chemical attack may trigger the U.S. to escalate, putting NATO on the warpath against Russia.

Alternatively, NATO would continue its measured approach, continuing to engage Russia in diplomatic channels. But should a chemical attack occur, this measured approach would go hand in hand with far heavier tactics, whether they be the donation of MiGs, cyber warfare on Russia, or the deployment of the hotly-contested ‘no-fly zone.’ Any of these moves could be construed by Putin as an act of war, but in the event that he uses weapons of mass destruction, the escalation and subsequent destruction will be blood on his hands alone.