There is no realistic chance of defeating the Russian army in the field without direct NATO involvement. A chemical attack would galvanize wavering Western support and provide a perfect casus belli for the direct involvement of NATO forces.

According to a Russian defense minister, Igor Kirillov, the United States has warned of a chemical attack by Russia, whilst transporting chemical warfare agents to the front line. In a presentation on the subject he presented several images showing some, but not all, of the evidence of his claims. 

The Russians claim that they have evidence that the chemical agents required to stage an attack were delivered to Kramatorsk on February 10, 2023. 

In all, there were 16 tightly sealed metal boxes in the rail car. A half of them had the marking of a chemical hazard, the BZ inscription, and also the markings with two red stripes corresponding to the category of chemical agents with a temporary incapacitating effect.

Further to this, the Russians point to a large recent delivery of protective clothing and antidotes. Taken together, these deliveries present a compelling case

https://www.lifesitenews.com/analysis/the-russians-say-america-is-planning-a-false-flag-chemical-attack-in-ukraine-are-they-right/?