The United States accuses Russia of using “the chemical weapon chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces,” according to a statement from the US State Department issued on Wednesday. This violates the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which Russia has also signed.
The Russians are also said to have used tear gas as a method of war in Ukraine and that is also contrary to the CWC. “The use of such chemicals is not an incident and is likely intended to drive Ukrainian soldiers from positions and gain tactical gains on the battlefield,” the Foreign Ministry wrote.
The US announced new sanctions on Wednesday against about eighty individuals and two hundred companies in connection with Russian weapons production, including the production of chemical and biological weapons. This also concerns people and companies in other countries that would support Russia in the purchase of materials for its weapons production. The statement mentions Belgium, China and Slovakia, among others.
Three people linked to the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny are also being punished.
Also read
US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine
To share
Email the editor
