The US denounced that Russia violated the global ban on chemical weapons with the use of chloropicrin in Ukraine

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The United States has officially denounced Russia for violating the global ban on chemical weapons by using chloropicrin in its offensives in Ukraine. The State Department released a statement on Wednesday accusing Russian forces of utilizing the banned substance as part of their war strategy to gain an advantage over Ukrainian forces.

Chloropicrin, classified as an asphyxiant agent, is prohibited by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) under the 1933 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). This gas was first used on a large scale during World War I by German forces against Allied troops.

In addition to chloropicrin, the Ukrainian Army has reported that Russia has been increasing the use of illegal anti-riot agents in their attacks in eastern Ukraine. Grenades loaded with CS and CN gases have been employed to force Ukrainian soldiers out of fortified positions, as they are unable to withstand the effects of these substances without gas masks.

The State Department has linked these tactics to previous instances of poisoning carried out by the Kremlin against political opponents, such as the cases of Alexei Navalny in 2020 and Sergei Skripal and his daughter in 2018. Such actions are seen as part of a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents.

In response to these violations, the United States has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russian state companies and individuals involved in the country’s chemical and biological weapons programs. These measures are part of a broader effort to hold Russia accountable for its actions both abroad and within its borders.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation on the ground in Ukraine remains volatile, with several bombings over eastern and northeastern regions resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including a father and his daughter, a minor, and a 67-year-old woman.

The United States, in coordination with the Treasury Department, has also imposed sanctions on entities linked to the Kremlin involved in energy, metals, mining, and other industries that support Russia’s military capabilities. These actions underscore the serious consequences Russia faces for its continued violations of international norms and laws regarding chemical weapons.

(With information from Reuters)