US accuses Russia of using “chemical weapons” against Ukrainian forces

usa This Wednesday he alleged Russia “The chemical weapon chloropicrin” was used against Ukrainian forces, in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Additionally, Russia has used chemical riot control agents such as tear gas “as a method of warfare”. ukraineThis also violates the convention,” according to a State Department statement.

“The use of these chemical substances is not an isolated incident,” said the agency, which suspects Moscow uses these types of weapons to break the front of Ukrainian forces and gain advances.

For its part, the Kremlin denied US allegations that Russian forces in Ukraine violated an international ban on chemical weapons. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskovtold reporters that Moscow continued to meet its obligations under the treaty banning chemical weapons.

At the same time, Washington announced new sanctions package Against companies and individuals accused of helping finance the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In addition to Russian defense companies and Chinese entities, the sanctions also affect a number of research units and companies involved in Russian chemical and biological weapons programs.

“Russia’s continued neglect of its obligations under the Convention is tantamount to poisoning Alexey Navalny and of sergei and yulia skripal With Novichok nerve agents,” the State Department continued.

Navalny, a former rival of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in prison under unclear circumstances on February 16. Former Russian double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in the United Kingdom in 2018.

Russia has announced that it no longer has a military chemical arsenal, but the country is facing pressure for greater transparency on the use of such weapons.

according to institutions National Institute of Health (NIH) In Americans, chloropicrin is a substance that poses a health hazard when inhaled.

According to a State Department document, Russia has regularly used the chemical chloropicrin, as well as pepper spray, against Ukrainian troops, which would be against the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The United States said, “The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident, and is likely motivated by the desire of Russian forces to drive Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and gain a tactical advantage on the battlefield.”