In the midst of the current war between the two neighboring nations, Britain's armed forces minister, James Heappey, has stated that London is investigating reports that the Russian military deployed chemical weapons against Ukraine.

According to reports circulating on Ukrainian social media, such weapons were allegedly used against Ukraine's besieged southern city of Mariupol.

However, neither British defense intelligence nor their Kyiv colleagues have been able to corroborate those accusations.

According to Heappey, the UK is "working urgently" to determine whether chemical weapons were used, and if proof of such weapons is found, "all options" in terms of international response are "on the table."

Speaking on the development, Heappey told BBC Breakfast: “Verifying it [use of chemical weapons] is clearly very important.

If chemical weapons were used, it would be a very important moment for our PM [Boris Johnson] and other heads of government around the world.

“President Putin must be aware that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable.”