Russia Will Be Held To Account.

Stories are coming out that Russia may have used chemical weapons in Mariupol, Ukraine. The city has seen hard fighting and is undergoing a medieval-like siege by Russian forces.

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boyshenko has accused the Russians of blocking humanitarian supplies. These are classic siege tactics used down the ages to starve places into surrender. The Mayor said 10,000 inhabitants of the city have perished.

Russia has pounded the city with missiles, bombs, and shells. All of Russia's tactics are to flatten the city into submission. Russia has used the same strategy in Syria when it flattened cities and towns there.

Russia if it cannot conquer places through ground assaults it will use other means to demolish targets. Russia uses terror to scare and kill civilian populations. Look at the train station attack where civilians were queuing to escape the conflict. A missile or missiles struck the station killing and injuring many.

In the besieged city of Mariupol, the Azov Brigade has accused the Russians of using chemical weapons. Video footage allegedly exists of Russian aircraft dropping bombs full of an unknown chemical. The Mayor of Mariupol, however, has cautioned that an official investigation is being conducted into this. Until this investigation confirms the Russians dropped chemical bombs such talk is speculation.

James Heappey, said, "All options are on the table" if Russia has used chemical weapons. UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss agreed with her cabinet colleague. Ms.Truss added the UK is looking into the possible use of such weapons. Both cabinet ministers said if Russia has used chemical weapons it would be a major escalation.

What response could the UK, US, etc, use against Russia? Would it be more hard-hitting sanctions as Zelensky has suggested? Would the Western Allies now contemplate a military response? Up until now, NATO has sided with Ukraine in supplying weapons.

Would a proven chemical attack be a red line? If NATO does go down the military path there will be consequences from Russia. Caution must be used whatever the West decides to do. That's if it can be proven that the Russians did use chemical bombs.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin is holding a joint press conference with the Belarusian President. Belarus has been Russia's friend before the Russians invaded Ukraine. When Russian forces invaded Ukraine Belarus supported Russia in its military adventure. It also allowed its territory to be used as a springboard for Russia's invasion. Russian troops have also withdrawn back to Belarus as they withdraw from around Kyiv.

Stinging sanctions have been inflicted on Russia since the invasion. The world wants to isolate Russia and reduce it to being an outcast nation. However, Mr. Putin has said Russia will never be isolated from the world. Presumably, that means Iran, China, etc, have Russia's back. Russia will find ways around isolation and sanctions no doubt.

Russia is re-evaluating its military strategy in Ukraine. Russia has lost many men and armaments in the Ukraine conflict. It has taken a beating from brave Ukrainian armed forces. Taking Kyiv is now a lost cause for Putin. Hence Russian forces are now heading for eastern Ukraine or the Donbas.

The Donbas is more of a Russian-speaking region so it may find more support. If Russia can operate a successful military campaign in eastern Ukraine it may save face. Of course, that all depends on what happens to Russian forces in the Donbas. Putin wants a successful outcome in eastern Ukraine no doubt. Hoping the locals will support him and not the Zelensky government in Kyiv.

If Mariupol does fall then Russia can chalk that up as a significant outcome. Especially, after Russia for all its might failed to take Kyiv.