Russian forces escalate use of banned chemical warfare in Ukraine

The Russian army is increasingly using prohibited weapons in the fight against Ukrainian forces. They drop tear gas grenades on them, but also substances used during World War I, such as hydrogen cyanide and chloropicrin.

The Ukrainian military claims that during the war, the Russians carried out 626 chemical weapon attacks on Ukrainian soldiers’ positions, as reported by "The Telegraph". However, the British newspaper suggests this number might be an understatement. The use of tear gas, which is banned in warfare, is reported to be a routine tactic employed by Russians on the Ukrainian front.

As the newspaper highlights, tear gas does not result in the death of soldiers. Nonetheless, its deployment can trigger panic and, more critically, render them unable to combat for several to even tens of minutes. Following the release of a tear gas grenade on Ukrainian army positions, the Russians launch an attack - bombarding them, leaving the Ukrainians unable to mount a defence.

"The Telegraph" spoke to soldiers in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. All confirmed that such attacks occur daily.

An American nurse serving in the Ukrainian army provided "The Telegraph" journalists with a K-51 gas grenade, usually filled with tear gas. Marc-Michael Blum, a chemical weapons expert and former head of the laboratory of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, confirmed its composition.

It is also reported that Russians have utilized other banned types of chemical weapons. Last year, a Russian drone released two missiles over soldiers in the Donetsk region containing an unknown gas with a scent similar to "crushed almonds", likely indicating hydrogen cyanide. This attack resulted in the death of two soldiers, with 12 others requiring hospital treatment.

There have been further instances of chloropicrin usage - traditionally a pesticide, but also employed by the Germans as a chemical weapon during World War I.

The issue of Russian deployment of chemical weapons is further compounded by the inadequate protective gear provided to Ukrainian soldiers, which, when available, is often of poor quality.

Source: telegraph.co.uk