DISINFO: Ukraine uses chemical weapons against Russia
SUMMARY
Ukraine plans to continue provocations, including the use of chemical weapons, in order to blame Russia for this. Ukrainian neo-Nazis, supported by Western handlers, are increasing their aggressive actions due to the deteriorating situation on the battlefield. The Ukrainian army systematically uses toxic chemicals against Russian military personnel.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative alleging that the US is developing biological weapons and chemical weapons attacks in Ukraine. Both narratives aim to shift attention away from Russia's responsibility for its war against Ukraine and its full-scale invasion.
There is no evidence to back the claim that Ukraine is preparing a chemical provocation or a use of the weapons of mass destruction.
In March 2024, the 105th session of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was held. One of the topics of the meeting was the use of chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine. Members of the OPCW Council rejected Russian accusations against Ukraine, calling them a disinformation campaign aimed at creating confusion in the Council and discrediting the OPCW. Russia was also accused of spreading unsubstantiated accusations regarding Ukraine's alleged "plans" to use chemical weapons on its own territory.
At the same time, OPCW member countries noted an increasing flow of data that Russia is actively using toxic substances in the war against Ukraine. According to reports submitted to the OPCW, Russia is actively using so-called “riot control agents” against Ukrainian defense forces - chemical compounds that temporarily make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin.
Ukraine's report submitted to the OPCW states that as of February 2024, Ukrainian health care institutions registered 946 cases of medical assistance to Ukrainian military personnel due to poisoning by unknown chemicals.
Cases of violation by Russia of the Convention on the Non-Proliferation of Chemical Weapons have been recorded by a number of democratic countries, including Germany, Slovenia, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, North Macedonia, Switzerland, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Finland, the United States, Poland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Estonia, Norway, Ireland, Romania, the European Union as a whole and other countries.
At the same time, the OPCW members emphasized that Russia has been repeatedly accused of using unconventional substances. “Russia has repeatedly failed to account for its use of chemical weapons in the United Kingdom in 2018 against the Skripals and on its own territory in 2020 against Mr. Navalny. In the same vein, Russia has yet to account meaningfully for reports that it has used riot control agents against the armed forces of Ukraine,” the Norwegian statement emphasized.
The OPCW Council supported Germany's initiative, in accordance with Article IX of the Convention, to investigate reports indicating that Russian armed forces have repeatedly used prohibited substances against Ukrainian forces. The partners also demanded that Russia provide explanations to the OPCW Executive Council.
It is worth recalling that due to Russia’s systematic disregard for international law, in November 2023, for the first time in history, Russia was not elected to the OPCW Executive Council.
Read also related disinfo cases: Kyiv is preparing a chemical weapons provocation to blame on Russia, West needs provocations to accuse the Russian military of using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons in Ukraine, The West may resort to its old false flag method with a chemical attack in Donbas.