As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, the Kremlin has remained silent following accusations from the United States that Russia has utilized chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. This silence comes amid a new wave of sanctions imposed by Washington, which aims to punish Moscow for its alleged violation of international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The US State Department has publicly charged Russia with deploying chloropicrin, a substance that provokes severe physical reactions, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Chloropicrin was notably used during World War I as a chemical warfare agent and is now classified as a choking agent by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. According to the US, the use of chloropicrin represents a clear breach of the CWC, to which Russia is a signatory.
In addition to chloropicrin, the US claims that Russia has used “riot control agents,” such as tear gas, in a manner contrary to the CWC. The US statement aligns with reports from Ukrainian troops, who allege they have experienced a marked increase in encounters with gases and other irritants along the frontlines.
The US has taken concrete actions in response to these allegations, imposing sanctions on three Russian government entities tied to the country’s chemical and biological weapons programs and four Russian companies that have contributed to these government bodies.
Despite these serious allegations and subsequent US sanctions, Russian officials have categorically denied any wrongdoing. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the US accusations as “absolutely groundless, not supported by anything.” He further stated that “Russia was and remains committed to its obligations in international law.”
This episode is a stark reminder of Russia’s history with chemical weapons, drawing parallels with the country’s alleged involvement in the poisonings of opposition figures like Alexey Navalny and Sergei Skripal through the use of Novichok nerve agents, a claim Russia has consistently denied.
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine war live updates: Kremlin yet to comment on chemical weapons allegations; Odesa faces another ballistic missile attack , CNBC, 05/02/2024
– Ukraine-Russia war latest: Macron explains at what point he’d send troops to Ukraine; children injured in guided bomb attack, Sky News, 05/02/2024
– US says Russia used choking agents against Ukrainian troops, 9News, 05/02/2024
– US says Russia is using banned choking agent in attacks on Ukraine, Straight Arrow News, 05/02/2024
– Russian forces ‘have used chemical weapons in Ukraine in violation of international law’, US claims – as Putin’s war machine grinds on, Daily Mail, 05/02/2024