Western officials ‘seriously concerned’ Vladimir Putin could use chemical weapons in Ukraine

People walk next to a building destroyed by russian airstrikes in Mariupol. Picture: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

Western officials warned of their “serious concern” that Vladimir Putin could use chemical weapons in Ukraine to commit further atrocities during the invasion.

Their assessment was that an “utterly horrific” attack on the capital of Kyiv could come as Russian forces overcome the logistical issues suspected of delaying their attacks.