Are the Russians using chemicals in Ukraine? As more reports come in from the battle frontlines, the question must be asked. Liberty Nation reported on the potential of the Kremlin using chemical munitions before, but fewer accounts at the time indicated such tactics were being employed. The latest from Mariupol, however, suggests Ukrainian troops have been gassed. If true, another question must also be asked: Does this really surprise anyone? The use of such weapons is a war crime, but who would have thought Vladimir Putin unwilling to take it there?
The White House was among those suggesting that the Russian president might consider using gas as a weapon in Ukraine. President Biden's press secretary first raised the issue in a March briefing, explaining, "[W]e should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them. It's a clear pattern." Evidence is building that such conjecture may prove true.
The use of chemical weapons – like poison gas or topical nerve agents – and biological weapons has been prohibited since the June 1925 Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare. The convention, commonly referred to as the Geneva Protocol, was reaffirmed in 1997 with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), with Russia signing along with 193 other nations. So, for Russia to break the agreement and use chemical weapons is not a trivial matter.
Ukrainian troops engaged with Moscow forces in Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine claimed they were attacked by a substance causing respiratory failure and disorientation. Though not independently verified, a video published by The US Sun shows an unnamed Ukrainian fighter testifying to what he believed to be a chemical attack. "Several hours ago, the Russians carried out a strike with chemical weapons on Mariupol, on Azovstal factory, on fortifications of the Ukrainian troops, on fortifications of Azov," he stated. He went on to say the attack "wasn't huge … three people have clear signs of poisoning with combat chemical weapons, yet without catastrophic consequences."
The British Foreign Ministry explained, if true, the Kremlin using gas in attacking civilians and military soldiers would take the Russian invasion to another level. "Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK and other allies were 'working urgently' to verify the details of the alleged chemical attack – which could be a red line for the West to send in forces," Olivia Burke wrote in The US Sun. Observers on the scene in Mariupol claimed a Russian drone dispensed the unidentified substance.
Pentagon officials are more cautious in accusing Putin of using weapons of mass destruction like poisonous gas. The assistant to the secretary of defense, John Kirby, told reporters:
"[W]e cannot confirm these reports that have been emanating on social media about the use of potential chemical agents through, I think the social media reporting was through the use of a drone or something like that … We're obviously taking it seriously and we're monitoring it, we're trying to do the best we can to figure out what, if anything, happened. But we're not in a position to confirm it right now."
(Photo by Hakan Akgun/dia images via Getty Images)
During his nightly talk to the Ukrainian people, "President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Monday that Russian forces are preparing to use chemical weapons in Ukraine, calling for more Western sanctions to deter the threat," according to the Washington Examiner. Zelensky outlined the danger: "Today, the occupiers issued a new statement, which testifies to their preparation for a new stage of terror against Ukraine and our defenders. One of the mouthpieces of the occupiers stated that they could use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol. We take this as seriously as possible."
The most disturbing aspect of the possibility Moscow would resort to using caustic gases as a terror weapon to kill and maim the people of Ukraine is that the documented atrocities already perpetrated by the Russian invaders lend credence to the reports. “[A]t the same time we know that Russia has used chemical agents in Europe before, against their own political opponents and Russia has been facilitating and supporting the Assad regime in Syria, where chemical weapons have been used,” Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general told NBC’s Meet the Press. Should Russia use chemical agents in Ukraine, Putin will have crossed the Rubicon of war crimes. The consequences must be more severe than freezing bank accounts.
The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliation.
