DISINFO: Ukraine prepares a provocation to accuse Russia of using toxic substances
SUMMARY
Ukraine is preparing a provocation to accuse Russia of using toxic substances. Kyiv wants Russian representatives to be removed from their positions in the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) technical secretariat. Kyiv is receiving excessive amounts of personal protective equipment, which is another sign of preparing falsifications. The U.S. is involved in the provocation being prepared by Kyiv. The Ukrainian side has received thirteen First Defender detectors and 70 LCD 3.3 analysers from the OPCW Technical Secretariat, which meet the Organization's requirements for documenting evidence. The Ukrainian authorities have also signed an agreement with the OPCW Technical Secretariat on "Privileges and Immunities during Technical Assistance Visits." This document will give Kyiv the opportunity to impose false conclusions on the Organization regarding the investigation of chemical incidents.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative attacking the independence and integrity of the OPCW and making allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons by Ukraine. This claim was also made by the Russian Embassy in Kazakhstan.
Experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) conducted a Technical Assistance Visit in Ukraine upon the country’s request from 2 to 3 July 2024. Ukraine requested the visit after the country signed an ad hoc privileges and immunities agreement with the OPCW on May 24. As part of the agreement, OPCW experts delivered 70 devices that detect gas and vapor threats and conducted training on how to use them for 20 experts from the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, including first responders.
All expenses for the equipment were covered by voluntary contributions from OPCW Member States to the Article X Trust Fund, which provides assistance and protection to Ukraine upon request. So far, 15 States Parties have contributed a total of EUR 3.9 million to the Fund, with EUR 2.4 million already used or allocated.
The Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been monitoring the situation on the territory of Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022 in relation to allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons. Both the Russian Federation and Ukraine have accused one another and reported allegations of use of chemical weapons to the Organisation.
On May 1st, the United States announced new sanctions against Russia for its involvement in the war with Ukraine and alleged use of chemical weapons, including chloropicrin and riot control agents banned under international agreements. Russia has denied these accusations.
On October 8 UK announced sanctions on Russian troops involved in the abhorrent use of inhumane chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. Among those sanctioned are the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops of the Russian Armed Forces and its leader Igor Kirillov, responsible for helping deploy the barbaric weapons. Kirillov has also been “a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation, spreading lies to mask Russia’s shameful and dangerous behaviour”.
Any investigation by the OPCW into the use of toxic chemicals as weapons requires a formal request from member states involved. UK reiterates its request to the OPCW 107th Executive Council under Article IX paragraph 3 to assist in clarifying reports that Russian armed forces have repeatedly breached the Chemical Weapon Convention in Ukraine.
It is important to note that all 193 OPCW Member States, thus including the Russian Federation and Ukraine, have committed never to develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, transfer or use chemical weapons.
Read previous disinformation claims alleging that OPCW suppressed key evidence in Douma chemical attack probe; The OPCW has a policy of throwing baseless accusations; that the chemical attacks in Syria have been staged and filmed by the media of the Western countries; that the Navalny poisoning could be a strategy of the West to introduce anti-Russian sanctions, that Russia is accused of poisoning without proof; or that US used Navalny case to block Russian vaccine against COVID-19.