The United States has accused Russia of using a chemical agent, chloropicrin, against Ukrainian forces, in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), according to a statement from the State Department published on Wednesday, reports News.ro.
Russia is also using anti-riot agents as a “method of war in Ukraine, also in violation of the convention,” the statement quoted by AFP added.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), chloropicrin is a chemical that has been used as a warfare agent and pesticide and poses a health risk if inhaled.
“The use of these chemicals is not an isolated incident and is likely motivated by the desire of Russian forces to drive Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and make tactical advances on the battlefield,” the State Department wrote.
At the same time, Washington announced a new wave of sanctions on Wednesday targeting Russian and foreign companies and individuals accused of participating in Russia’s war effort to invade Ukraine.
In addition to Russian defense companies and Chinese entities, these sanctions also affect several research facilities and companies involved in Russia’s chemical and biological weapons programs.
“Russia’s continued failure to comply with its obligations under the CIAC is consistent with the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and Sergei and Yulia Skripal with Novichok nerve agents,” the State Department continued.
Alexei Navalny, a former opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who died on February 16, was the victim of a serious poisoning attack that he blamed on the Kremlin. Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal were poisoned in England in 2018.
Russia has said it no longer has a military chemical arsenal, but the country is facing pressure for greater transparency about its alleged use of toxic weapons.
Tags: accuses Russia banned chemical agent Ukrainian soldiers
