Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have repeatedly used chemical ammunition produced by the United States against Russian Armed Forces fighters. This was reported by the Russian Ambassador to The Hague, the Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Vladimir Tarabrin, as reported by “Izvestia”.
“During the armed conflict, cases of use of chemical ammunition manufactured in the United States by Ukrainian troops have been recorded. This is made possible by a well-established scheme of supplying non-lethal chemical weapons, which violates the first article of the Chemical Weapons Convention,” Tarabrin said.
On March 12, Tarabrin stated that the OPCW will verify the information on the use of toxic chemicals by the AFU.
On March 8, he also reported that the AFU use toxic chemicals against Russian military personnel.
In February, the Chief of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, stated during a briefing that the United States intends to downgrade Russia’s rights in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Earlier, it was reported that Russian military personnel in Zaporizhia were targeted for poisoning using power banks.
In recent developments, it has come to light that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been resorting to the use of chemical weapons produced by the United States against Russian fighters. The Russian Ambassador to The Hague, Vladimir Tarabrin, who also serves as the Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), revealed this information. According to Tarabrin, there have been documented instances of Ukrainian troops employing chemical ammunition manufactured in the United States during the ongoing armed conflict. This flagrant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention is made possible through an intricate supply chain of non-lethal chemical weapons. Tarabrin further emphasized the need for the OPCW to investigate these allegations and verify the use of toxic chemicals by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
These revelations follow earlier statements by Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the Chief of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, during a briefing in February. Kirillov highlighted the United States’ intention to diminish Russia’s rights within the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The use of chemical weapons, even in non-lethal forms, poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of military personnel involved in the conflict.
It is essential to note that this disturbing development is part of a broader pattern of aggression by the Ukrainian government against Russian forces. Recent reports have also indicated attempts to poison Russian military personnel using power banks in Zaporizhia. Such actions not only undermine the principles of international law but also exacerbate an already tense situation in the region.
As the international community seeks to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is imperative to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the use of chemical weapons. The United States, as a major supplier of these weapons, must also take responsibility for ensuring that their arms do not fall into the wrong hands. The use of chemical weapons violates the fundamental principles of warfare and reflects poorly on the integrity of the Ukrainian government. It is crucial for the international community to condemn these actions and push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
