The United States State Department on Wednesday accused Russia of using chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and announced new sanctions against Moscow.
In addition to the chemical chloropicrin, Russia also used “riot suppression agents [ašarines dujas] as a method of combat in Ukraine, also in violation of the CWC,” according to the department’s fact sheet.
“The use of such chemical agents is not an isolated incident and is likely the result of Russian forces seeking to dislodge Ukrainian forces from entrenched positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield,” the State Department said.
The use of such chemical agents is not an isolated incident and is most likely due to the Russian forces’ desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from entrenched positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield.
At the time, the US Treasury Department announced sweeping sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s military and industrial capabilities, including sanctions against nearly 300 entities in Russia, China and other countries accused of supporting President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
The sanctions are aimed at punishing companies that help Moscow buy weapons for the war in Ukraine. They also target Russian officials and companies involved in the country’s chemical and biological weapons programs.
Russia has said it no longer has an arsenal of chemical weapons, but the country is under pressure to be more transparent about its alleged use of toxic weapons.
According to the US National Institutes of Health, the chemical chloropicrin is used both as a combat agent and as a pesticide. Harmful by inhalation.
“We pour sand into the gears of the Russian military machine”
“Today’s actions will further disrupt and weaken Russia’s military efforts by targeting its military-industrial base and the networks that support it,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.
The charges and sanctions come a week after US President Joe Biden signed into law a long-delayed bill for new funding for Ukraine, which is struggling to contain Russia’s offensive.
“Although we pour sand into the cogs of the Russian military machine, President [Joe] Biden’s recently passed National Security Package provides much-needed military, economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine’s courageous resistance,” Yellen said.
“Our support for Ukraine and our continued joint efforts to target Russian military capabilities give Ukraine a decisive advantage on the battlefield,” she added.
Our support for Ukraine and our ongoing joint efforts to target Russian military capabilities give Ukraine a decisive advantage on the battlefield.
As part of these measures, the State Department blacklisted more individuals and companies associated with Moscow’s energy, mining and metals sectors.
The sanctions also apply to individuals linked to the February death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was imprisoned in a high-security colony in northern Siberia.
The Treasury Department said the nearly 300 actors targeted by the sanctions include several dozen entities accused of facilitating Russia’s acquisition of much-needed technology and equipment from abroad.
Some of these entities were based in countries such as China, which has come under increasing pressure from Washington over its support for Russia during its 15-month invasion of Ukraine.
“This support allows Russia to continue its war against Ukraine and poses a significant threat to international security,” the Treasury Department said.
These entities are also located in Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
The statement said that these companies “allow Russia to acquire much-needed technology and equipment from abroad.”
