Russian forces reportedly fired a banned choking gas at Ukrainian troops, only to have the wind blow it back toward them, Business Insider reported.
According to the Ukrainian military, Russian forces used phosphorus munitions, a type of weapon that is banned under the Geneva Convention due to its choking effects. However, the wind direction reportedly changed, causing the gas to blow back toward the Russian forces.
The Ukrainian military has been documenting and reporting all instances of Russia’s use of banned weapons to international organizations.
On June 27, 2023, Ukrainian military officials alleged that Russian forces had fired a banned choking gas at Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine. The gas, which was fired from a “chemical aerosol munition,” caused coughing, nausea, and vomiting among the Ukrainian troops, but the wind eventually blew the gas back towards the Russians, who were also affected.
The Ukrainian officials did not specify what type of chemical gas was used, but they said that it was a banned substance. The use of chemical weapons is prohibited under international law, and any country that uses them could face serious consequences.
The Russian government has denied using chemical weapons in Ukraine, and has accused the Ukrainian government of staging the attack in order to discredit Russia. However, there is no evidence to support the Russian government’s claims.
The failed choking gas attack is just the latest in a series of allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. The United Nations has documented numerous cases of indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, as well as the deliberate targeting of hospitals and schools.
The international community has condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and has imposed a number of sanctions on the country. However, so far, these sanctions have not been enough to deter Russia from continuing its aggression.
The failed choking gas attack is a reminder of the serious threat that chemical weapons pose to civilians in war zones. It is also a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable.
In addition to the choking gas attack, there have been other allegations of chemical weapons use in Ukraine. In April 2022, Ukrainian officials said that Russian forces had used chlorine gas in the besieged city of Mariupol. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is investigating these allegations.
The use of chemical weapons is a serious violation of international law. It is a war crime to use chemical weapons against civilians, and those responsible for such attacks should be held accountable.
This incident comes amidst escalating fighting between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian pilots have been pleading for F-16 jets to better protect their skies against Russian aviation as they struggle to contain Russian aviation with their current fleet of Soviet-era Su-25s. The pilots argue that the U.S. made F-16 jets could significantly enhance their air defense.
This story was reviewed by Zenger News editors in line with the publication’s editorial guidelines before being published.
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Edited by Daisy Atino and Virginia Van Zandt
