The US says Russia is violating the UN conventions on chemical weapons in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Moscow should use irritant gases “as a form of warfare.” The United States is therefore calling for comprehensive new sanctions against Russian companies and authorities.
The U.S. Department of State has “determined that Russia has used the chemical weapon chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention,” the department said in a statement.
According to Ukraine, chemical weapons are being used more and more often
“The use of such chemicals is not isolated and is likely due to the desire of the Russian armed forces to drive the Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and gain tactical advantages on the battlefield,” the Foreign Ministry said. This finding is consistent with the statement of Ukrainian troops. They reported having been attacked with gas and other irritating chemicals on the front lines more frequently in recent months.
Kiev’s military said in March it had recorded more than a thousand incidents in which Russia had used “tear gas ammunition containing toxic chemicals banned in warfare.” There were 250 cases in February alone.
Moscow denies possession of chemical weapons
Russia denies these accusations. “There are no chemical weapons in the stockpiles of the Russian army, as international studies confirm,” the Russian embassy in the Netherlands wrote on X (see message above).
Chloropicrin is a nearly colorless oily liquid that causes severe irritation to the eyes, skin and lungs and was widely used in World War I. It is also used as a pesticide in agriculture. Its use as a weapon has been prohibited since 1993.
Russia also used grenades laced with CS and CN gases, according to Reuters news agency. At least 500 Ukrainian soldiers received medical treatment after coming into contact with irritants – one even died.
Source: Krone
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