The US State Department announced on Wednesday that it is submitting to Congress a decision under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW Act) regarding the alleged Russia’s use of the chemical agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops.
Chloropicrin is a chemical weapon that was used during World War I and whose lethal compound attacks the lungs and acts like tear gas.The chemical agent in question was used for the first time in August 1916, by Russian forces, against the Germans, and was later used by all nations.
According to the US State Department statement, in addition to this chemical weapon, Russian forces also used “riot control agents [gás lacrimogéneo] as methods of warfare in Ukraine, also in violation of the CWC.”
“The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident and is likely motivated by the desire of Russian forces to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and advance on the battlefield.”reads the note.
In the same document, Washington also announced that Sanctions have been imposed on more than 80 entities and individuals, including those involved in developing Russia’s future energy, metals and mines production and export capacity, in evading and circumventing sanctions, and in promoting Russia’s ability to wage its war against Ukraine.
In addition to Russian defense companies and some Chinese entities, these sanctions are also due to various research units and companies involved in Russian chemical and biological weapons development programs. Among these actions, the State Department is also sanctioning three more individuals related to the death of Aleksey Navalny in the Russian IK-3 Penal Colony.
“Russia’s continued disregard for its CIAC obligations is consistent with operations to poison Alexei Navalny and Sergei and Yulia Skripal with Novichok-type chemical agents.”the State department also states.
All targets are being designated under the terms of the Executive Order that “authorizes sanctions with respect to specific harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation.”
Russia denies
Russia assures that it no longer has a military chemical arsenal, but is being pressured to ensure more transparency about the use of toxic weapons of which it is accused.
“In accordance with the CBW Act, the Department is reimposing restrictions on foreign military financing, U.S. Government lines of credit, and export licenses for defense articles and national security-sensitive items destined for Russia.”adds the statement.
In the statement, the US State Department states that the United States “will continue to use the instruments at its disposal to stop support for Russia’s military-industrial base and limit Russia’s use of the international financial system to promote its war against Ukraine”.
“We continue to stand in solidarity with Russians who fight for a more democratic future and with Ukrainians who defend their homeland from Russia’s aggression.”
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