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Chemical Weapons in Ukraine Conflict
Ukraine accuses Russia of systematic use of banned chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict; Russia denies the allegations.
Russian
Germany
Human Rights ViolationsRussiaRussia Ukraine WarUkraineWarConflictMilitary TechnologyChemical Weapons
Armed Forces Of UkraineOrganization For The Prohibition Of Chemical WeaponsNato
Alexander SelivanovLeonid ShelestSerhiy PakhomovOleksandr KarasevychMaria Zakharova
- Are the chemicals used prohibited under international law?
- The most common chemical agents used are CN and CS, categorized as 'riot control agents', which are forbidden under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Chloropicrin, another banned substance, has also been used in smaller instances.
- How does Russia respond to accusations of using chemical weapons?
- Russia denies the allegations, claiming Ukraine is using chemical weapons. Ukraine refutes this, stating that using such weapons would be counterproductive and against their interest.
- What types of chemical weapons are being used in the Ukraine conflict?
- The Russian military has been accused of systematically using chemical weapons, including tear gas and chloropicrin, against Ukrainian soldiers. These attacks, starting in February 2023, aim to force Ukrainian troops out of their positions, making them vulnerable to other attacks.
- How many incidents of chemical weapons use have been reported, and what are the consequences?
- Ukraine has reported over 4000 instances of chemical weapons use by Russia, resulting in three deaths and numerous injuries. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is investigating, but a formal conclusion is pending.
- What personal protective equipment (PPE) is being used by Ukrainian soldiers, and are there any shortcomings?
- Ukrainian soldiers primarily use Soviet-era protective equipment and report shortages. The effectiveness of this equipment is limited, and soldiers do not always have enough time to put on their gas masks before an attack. The lack of adequate protection is a major factor contributing to casualties.