Russia refutes claims of using Soviet-era bomb in Syria

CAIRO – 2 May 2017: The “KhAB-250 bomb” was not used in a chemical attack on the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun, according to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov. Konashenkov’s report is a direct refutation of the Human Rights Watch claim that the Russian (Soviet-era) bomb was used. Through Russian news agency Sputnik Konashenkov further elaborated that such bombs were not exported outside the Soviet Union and were not packed with sarin gas.

Konashinkov explained that all types of Soviet bombs were disposed of in the 1960s and thus could not be filled with sarin gas.

Human Rights Watch said in a report released Monday that Syrian government forces have used toxic nerve agents in three more recent attacks and that they have been directed against the civilian population.

The chemical attack in Syria’s Khan Sheikhon claimed 92 casualties; at least 30 of them are children. It is Syria’s second deadliest attack after the Ghouta chemical attack in 2013, when hundreds of civilians were killed with chemical weapons.