New Delhi: Escalating tensions in the Ukraine war see the U.S. accusing Russia of deploying banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops. This claim, strongly refuted by the Kremlin, raises the specter of a horrific new chapter in the ongoing conflict.Russia documenting their War Crimes. Dropping a chemical choking agent K-51 chloropicrin grenade from a drone on Ukrainian soldiers in a dugout. pic.twitter.com/Q2s2mXSXpf— Gavin Sloan (@MobikMeatCube) May 2, 2024Ukraine reports soldier deaths from toxic exposureUkrainian military officials allege that over 500 soldiers have received treatment for exposure to toxic substances. Tragically, one soldier succumbed after suffocating from tear gas.🇬🇧The U.S. State Department says Russia uses #chloropicrin , it took them a long time to reach this conclusion :Source 🇷🇺April 2, 2023Russian reconnaissance, sabotage and assault group Russitch:Pigs start their morning not with coffee, but with chloropicrin 😄Source… https://t.co/B2BMbkNmpp pic.twitter.com/hjjpTPxdiD— 🇪 🇷 🇮 🇨 Lecomte 🇧🇪 💙💛 (@Eric_Lecomte_) May 2, 2024Chloropicrin: A World War I weapon re-emergesThe U.S. State Department specifically accuses Russia of using chloropicrin, a choking agent banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Chloropicrin, a relic of World War I trench warfare, inflicts severe respiratory distress.🇬🇧The Russian army in Ukraine is violating an international ban on the use of chemical weapons, the US State Department announced on Wednesday.According to the State Department, on the battlefield, Russian forces are using chloropicrin, an asphyxiant and tear-producing agent… pic.twitter.com/M6X24zid3E— 🇪 🇷 🇮 🇨 Lecomte 🇧🇪 💙💛 (@Eric_Lecomte_) May 1, 2024Russia denies use of chemical weapons The Kremlin vehemently denies these accusations, asserting its commitment to the CWC. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims as groundless.U.S. sees pattern of chemical attacksThe U.S. State Department views the alleged chloropicrin deployment as part of a playbook employed in previous poisonings. They cite the 2020 poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the 2018 Skripal poisoning in the UK, both attributed to Russia (denials issued in both cases).U.S. Accuses Russia of Using Banned Chemical Weapons Against Ukraine.The U.S. says, “chloropicrin” and “riot control agents” used against Ukrainian forces are “in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).”Source: State Department https://t.co/bvAu78Q3Vk pic.twitter.com/5VPBtsspLw— The Contrarian Crusaders (@contracrusaders) May 2, 2024Fear of escalation and violation of international lawThe potential use of chemical weapons marks a significant escalation in the war. The CWC, a cornerstone of global disarmament efforts, prohibits the development, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. A confirmed violation could trigger international condemnation and potentially severe sanctions against Russia.Russia documenting their War Crimes. Dropping a chemical choking agent K-51 chloropicrin grenade from a drone on Ukrainian soldiers in a dugout. pic.twitter.com/Q2s2mXSXpf— Gavin Sloan (@MobikMeatCube) May 2, 2024Uncertainties amid heightened tensionsThe situation remains murky, with independent verification of chemical weapons use currently lacking. Further investigation is crucial to establish the truth. The potential consequences of a confirmed violation, however, are dire and could further isolate Russia on the world stage.
