US accuses Russia of using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine
Ukrainian personnel putting on self-protection equipment during a training in Germany. (Photo: German MoD)
Moscow was blamed for perpetrating multiple gas attacks with a choking agent against Kyiv’s armed forces.
The US Department of State (DoS) accused Moscow on 1 May of breaching the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and conducting gas attacks in Ukraine. The DoS claimed that Russia used riot control agents as a method of warfare and deployed Chloropicrin against Kyiv’s troops.
Also known as PS or nitrochloroform, the choking agent has been banned by the CWC, which the Kremlin joined in 1997. According to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Chloropicrin inflicts injury on the respiratory tract and, when inhaled, causes alveoli “to secrete fluid, essentially drowning those affected”.
“The use of such chemicals is not
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
![Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft]()
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
![OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”]()
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
