Russian forces could be using deadly germ warfare on the front line in Ukraine by dumping cattle carcasses infected with the lethal bacteria anthrax. The horror tactic is believed to have been employed by Vladimir Putin's forces who have taken enormous casualties in the war since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Anthrax is a bacteria which can live for thousands of years as spores underground or on the remains of infected animals. When the bug comes into contact with humans it can cause flu-like symptoms and horrific skin leasions with black centres around the body. The bacterial spores are the mostly deadly aspect of the infection, if they are breathed into the lungs they prove fatal in around 90% of cases.

Ukrainian intelligence has said Kremlin forces are deliberately leaving infected cattle carcasses close to water sources in an attempt to spread the nightmare infection to civilians and Ukrainian troops. Anthrax can survive in water for up to two years meaning it could spread with terrifying speed.

Speaking to The Sun, Jerry Smith, a former weapons inspector for the UN, said the effect of the dirty Russian tactic was both toxic and psychological.

He told the paper: “It’s not so much the toxic nature of the weapons, it’s more that it becomes a psychological weapon… it’s the fear of breathing something in and choking.

“The malicious use of anthrax is essentially salting the earth.”

A military source said the Russians were "crazy enough" to use anthrax to lay waste to areas of Ukraine if they are forced to retreat.

According to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, in humans anthrax symptoms begin with a flu-like illness followed by respiratory difficulties.

The department said: "Direct contact with anthrax can cause raised boil-like lesions on the skin which develop a black centre. This skin infection normally responds to early treatment with antibiotics.

"If you inhale anthrax spores, they can cause damage to the lungs, which is often fatal."

In a more convential form of warfare Russia unleashed waves of missiles and drones at Ukraine on Monday killing at least 22 people.

All of the ballistic missiles launched by Russia struck their targets after Kyiv complained of a shortage of US-made Patriot intercepter missiles

Fifteen people were killed in the capital of Kyiv, which was Russia's main target, and 56 were injured, according to administrative head Tymur Tkachenko. Another seven people were killed in the wider Kyiv region and 29 were injured, according to Ukraine's emergency service.

Emergency workers searched for survivors in the rubble of residential high-rises in two locations that suffered direct hits.

Moscow has stepped up attacks on Kyiv in retaliation for Ukraine’s recent long-range strikes, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. Those Ukrainian attacks have caused severe fuel shortages and put pressure on President Vladimir Putin.

On Thursday, a Russian strike killed 31 people in Kyiv, the deadliest attack in the capital this year.