In January, Ukraine accused Russia of using chloropicrin as a chemical weapon in violation of the ban treaty. According to the US State Department, Russia has used chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces, violating the Chemical Weapons Convention. The United States presented these accusations in a bulletin announcing new sanctions against Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that Russia has used riot control substances in violation of the agreement, such as tear gas, which are prohibited in warfare according to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The Foreign Ministry’s press release suggests that the use of these chemicals is not isolated and may be driven by the Russian forces’ desire to expel Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and gain tactical advantages on the battlefield. In January, Ukrainska Pravda reported that the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces had also accused Russia of using chloropicrin.
Chloropicrin, originally used as a chemical weapon in World War I, is now used in agriculture as an insecticide. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons classifies chloropicrin as an asphyxiant gas that affects the lungs. Despite accusations, Russia denies having an arsenal of chemical weapons for military use.
The US State Department added almost 300 new individuals or entities to its sanctions list against Russia as part of the ongoing tensions between the two countries.