The United States has accused Russia of using chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine, as stated in an official statement from the State Department announcing new sanctions against Russia. The statement indicates that over 200 individuals have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance, with an additional 80 companies and individuals facing sanctions for Russia’s alleged violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The State Department’s report concludes that Russia used chloropicrin, a chemical substance banned by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, against Ukrainian military forces. Chloropicrin has an irritant and suffocating effect in high concentrations and was used in the First World War. There has been no response from Moscow regarding these allegations.
Earlier, the Ukrainian military had reported the use of chemical substances by Russian troops on the battlefield, although no casualties were reported. The accusations of chemical weapons use have led to increased tensions between the United States and Russia, with both sides presenting their perspectives on the situation. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has sparked international condemnation of Russia’s actions, and the accusations of chemical weapons use have further escalated the situation. The implications of these allegations on the conflict in Ukraine and relations between the United States and Russia remain to be seen.