Russia accused of carrying out illegal chemical gas attacks on Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines of a 26-month invasion, as Zelensky again pleads with the US to pass a major financing package to turn the tide of the war
- Russia is accused of illegal chemical gas attacks on Ukraine
- Tear gas is reportedly used by Russian forces
- Tear gas is banned under an international treaty signed by Russia and Ukraine
Russia is accused of carrying out illegal chemical gas attacks on Ukrainian soldiers.
Several Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines of the 26-month invasion that has devastated much of Ukraine have revealed that Russian forces are using small drones to drop tear gas and other chemicals on their positions.
Tear gas, also known as CS, is banned in wartime under the internationally signed Chemical Weapons Convention, of which both Russia and Ukraine are signatories. Tear gas is commonly used by riot police around the world.
Ukrainian soldiers who spoke to the Telegraph said Russian forces were dropping K-51 grenades, which experts say are typically filled with tear gas.
Ihor, a commander of a Ukrainian reconnaissance team working near the frontline town of Khasiv Yar, Donetsk Oblast, said The Telegraph: ‘One or two gas shells were dropped per day at almost every position in our front area.’
Several Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines of the 26-month invasion that has devastated much of Ukraine revealed that Russian forces are using small drones to deliver tear gas, among other things
Ukrainian soldiers who spoke to the Telegraph said Russian forces dropped K-51 grenades (pictured), which experts say are typically filled with tear gas
A commander who spoke to the Telegraph said the poor quality armor and tools given to Ukrainian troops had greatly exacerbated the problems
He said Russia turned to illegal weapons because its military had difficulty using conventional artillery or drones: “The only way they could attack us successfully was with gas.”
He said that while tear gas is not always fatal or immediately incapacitating, gas attacks can often cause panic, leading to mistakes being made that could benefit Russian forces.
According to training documents, Ukrainian troops are now being told to stay where they are and endure the first few minutes of tear gas exposure, rather than fleeing, potentially giving away their position.
After the first few minutes, the effect of the gas weakens.
A commander who spoke to the Telegraph said the poor quality armor and tools given to Ukrainian troops had greatly exacerbated the problems.
“We have gas masks, but in almost all cases they are very old, ex-Soviet models, and they are not very effective.”
Ukrainian military IT engineers are working on modifying civilian drones so they can be used as modified military devices on the battlefield
Ukrainian soldiers conduct combat exercises as war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Donetsk Oblast
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Kiev will lose the war against Russia if the US Congress does not approve military aid to fight Moscow’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Kiev will lose the war against Russia if the US Congress does not approve military aid to fight Moscow’s invasion.
Republicans in Congress have been blocking tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Kiev for months.
βIt is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war,β Zelensky said during a video meeting of the Kiev-organized fundraising platform United24.
Zelensky said it would be “difficult” for Ukraine to survive without the aid.
He said that ‘if Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked.’
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been going on for more than two years.