The United States has formally accused Russia of using chemical weapons “as a method of warfare” against Ukraine and imposed sweeping new sanctions on Russian firms and government bodies. The US State Department stated that Russia has used the chemical weapon chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Additionally, Russia was accused of using riot control agents, such as tear gas, during the conflict.
Ukrainian troops have reported encountering gas and other irritant chemicals on the frontline with Russian forces. The Ukrainian armed forces documented over a thousand incidents of Russia using prohibited tear gas munitions equipped with toxic chemicals, with 250 cases in February alone.
Russia has denied using chemical weapons, claiming that there are no such weapons in its army stockpiles. However, the US has re-imposed restrictions on foreign military financing and export licenses for defense articles going to Russia. Sanctions have been imposed on three Russian government entities and four companies linked to chemical and biological weapons programs.
The US has warned Russia against chemical warfare in Ukraine, with President Joe Biden stating that NATO would respond if chemical weapons were used. The use of chemical weapons is prohibited by international law, and Russia has been linked to previous incidents involving nerve agents against critics.
In response to Navalny’s death, the State Department announced new sanctions on three individuals linked to the case. The director of the prison where Navalny was held, the head of solitary confinement overseeing Navalny’s cell, and the prison’s medical chief are among those facing sanctions.
