World Health Organization's regional director for Europe Hans Kluge, said on Thursday that the body was preparing for possible "chemical assaults" in Ukraine.

"Given the uncertainties of the current situation, there are no assurances that the war will not get worse," Hans said during a briefing from Lviv, Ukraine.

"WHO is considering all scenarios and making contingencies for different situations that could afflict the people of Ukraine, from the continued treatment of mass casualties, to chemical assaults," he said.

In the same briefing, WHO incident director Heather Papowitz said Ukraine is an industrial country with "chemical hazards" throughout that can be hit by different assaults.

Asked directly about a possible Russian chemical attack on Ukraine, Kluge said: "The short answer is that WHO is preparing for any eventuality within our mandate."

Western officials have repeatedly voiced fears that Russia may use chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine, with risks of spillover effects beyond the country, without offering proof.
-Reuters