The United States has announced a sweeping series of sanctions targeting Russian officials and entities, following allegations that Russia has violated international law by using the chemical agent chloropicrin in Ukraine. According to the State Department, there have been over 200 reported instances of chloropicrin use in January alone.
Chloropicrin, sometimes known as CS or tear gas, is a choking agent with a history dating back to World War I. Its use in warfare was prohibited in the early 1990s, and its deployment by Russian forces in Ukraine is seen as a flagrant breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The U.S. State Department expressed its concern, stating, “The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident and is probably driven by Russian forces’ desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions [trenches, e.g.] and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield.”
In a broader context of Russia’s military tactics, the same playbook was highlighted, linking current actions with previous operations, such as the poisoning of opposition figures like Alexei Navalny and Sergei and Yulia Skripal with the Novichok nerve agent. The State Department underscored the pattern, saying, “Moscow’s use of the gas ‘comes from the same playbook as its operations to poison’ the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020 and Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in 2018 with the Novichok nerve agent.”
On the other side, the Russian response has been one of denial and deflection. Russian officials have rejected the allegations, “As always, such announcements are absolutely unfounded and are not supported by anything. Russia has been and remains committed to its obligations under international law in this area.”
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the extent of the measures: “Treasury has consistently warned that companies will face significant consequences for providing material support for Russia’s war, and the U.S. is imposing them today on almost 300 targets.”
These developments intensify the already strained relations between Moscow and Washington, with the US steadfastly supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
Relevant articles:
– The D Brief: More sanctions on Russia; US talks space nuke; Manta-ray sub drone; Australia’s ship plan; And a bit more., Defense One, 05/02/2024
– Russia breached chemical weapons ban in Ukraine, U.S. says as it sanctions Chinese companies over war, NBC News, 05/02/2024
– Russia used chemical weapons in Ukraine, US says, POLITICO Europe, 05/02/2024
– US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine war, Al Jazeera English, 05/02/2024