Russia is using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine: US
Dhaka: US accuses Russia of using 'Chloropicrin', a banned chemical used in World War I, in Ukraine.
On Thursday (May 2), the British media BBC reported that US State Department officials said that the attack on Ukraine with this weapon is not an "isolated" incident. Russia often uses it.
However, the Kremlin rejected the allegations, saying the US allegations were baseless. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Russia maintains its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
According to the CWC, the use of ‘chloropicrin’ in any war is strictly prohibited. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the use of this chemical in oil can cause inflammation of the lungs, eyes and skin of people. It can also cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
According to the US, Russia has used chloropicrin to force Ukrainian troops to retreat from fortified positions.
US President Joe Biden had earlier warned Russia about the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. He warned in March 2022, weeks after the attack on Ukraine, that if Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the use of chemical weapons, he would pay a "heavy price".
However, Moscow has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons in Ukraine. Mallory Stewart, US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control has accused Russia of using riot control chemicals. Ukrainian soldiers have also reported being subjected to chemical attacks in recent months.