Russia accused of using chemical weapons

 

The United States has officially accused Russia of using chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops, violating the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The US State Department stated that Russia has employed chloropicrin, a toxic chemical, and riot control agents, such as tear gas, in the war against Ukraine.

This determination comes after Ukrainian soldiers reported increased encounters with gas and other irritant chemicals on the frontlines. Ukraine's armed forces have documented over a thousand incidents of Russia using tear gas munitions equipped with toxic chemicals, with 250 cases in February alone.

Chloropicrin, a chemical warfare agent used in World War I, is no longer authorized for military use and can cause severe health issues, including lung, eye, and skin irritation, as well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In response to Russia's actions, the US is imposing sweeping new sanctions on Russian firms and government bodies. Three Russian government entities linked to the country's chemical and biological weapons programs and four Russian companies that contributed to those government bodies will face sanctions.

Additionally, the US is re-imposing restrictions on foreign military financing, US Government lines of credit, and export licenses for defense articles and national security-sensitive items going to Russia.

This move is part of a broader package of nearly 300 new sanctions against companies and figures in multiple countries for their support of Russia's war in Ukraine. The sanctions target entities in China, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

The US has previously warned Russia against chemical warfare in Ukraine, with President Joe Biden stating that NATO would respond if Russia used chemical weapons in Ukraine. The G7 foreign ministers have also issued a joint statement warning of "severe consequences" for any use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.

Ukrainian soldiers have reported facing increasing gas attacks, with some suffering injuries including burns and welts to the face, mouth, and throat. The use of chemical weapons is banned by international law, and Russia has signed treaties agreeing to this ban. However, Russia has been linked to the use of nerve agents against critics in recent years, including the poisonings of Sergei Skripal and Alexey Navalny.

In response to Navalny's death, the US is also imposing sanctions on three individuals linked to his death: the director of the prison where Navalny was imprisoned, the head of solitary confinement who oversaw Navalny's cell, and the prison's medical chief.

The US actions aim to hold Russia accountable for its violation of international law and its use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops. The sanctions and warnings from the international community demonstrate a united stance against Russia's actions and a commitment to protecting human life and upholding international law.