US says Russia is using banned choking agent in attacks on Ukraine

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE UNITED STATES HAS ACCUSED RUSSIA OF DEPLOYING CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN UKRAINE, A MOVE THAT VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL LAW AND RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT THE ESCALATING CONFLICT.

THE US STATE DEPARTMENT ALLEGES THAT RUSSIA HAS USED chloruhpickrin, A CHOKING AGENT THAT CAUSES RESPIRATORY DISTRESS, AGAINST UKRAINIAN TROOPS FORCING ENTRENCHED SOLDIERS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FLEEING UNDER ENEMY FIRE OR RISKING SUFFOCATION.

chloruhpickrin) IS A HARMFUL SUBSTANCE THAT CAN CAUSE VOMITING, NAUSEA, AND DIARRHEA, AND WAS WIDELY USED DURING WORLD WAR I. THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS CLASSIFIES IT AS A CHOKING AGENT.

THE US SAYS IT’S A CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION, WHICH RUSSIA HAS SIGNED.UKRAINE ALSO ACCUSES RUSSIA OF DROPPING TEAR GAS GRENADES FROM DRONES ONTO UKRAINIAN POSITIONS.

MEANWHILE THE STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED SANCTIONS ON THREE RUSSIAN ENTITIES LINKED TO MOSCOW’S CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS.

RUSSIA AMBASSADOR TO THE US HAS DENIED THESE ALLEGATIONS, CALLING THEM BASELESS, ADDING:

[AMBASSADOR]

“The United States is trying to intimidate our partners, including China, to block the channels of normal foreign trade cooperation. It is once again targeting Russian high-tech, transportation, and energy companies, meaning to “knock out” competitors from the markets.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

UKRAINE SAYS THAT RUSSIA HAS USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS ON THE BATTLEFIELD AT LEAST 14-HUNDRED TIMES SINCE THE FULL-SCALE INVASION BEGAN IN 2022 — CLAIMING ONE SOLDIER HAS DIED FROM TEAR GAS SUFFOCATION.