Use of chemical weapons by the Russians in Ukraine: the evidence

In a previous article, we discussed the use by the Russian Armed Forces of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. In response, we had some reactions that these allegations are hard to prove. Here we provide the proof. All the images and videos in this article are from the battlefield, taken by members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and are indicative of chemical weapons use. The symptoms shown are consistent with the use of chloropicrin, also known as PS or nitrochloroform, a poisonous gas used by the German army in World War I and now apparently used by the Russians.

Chloropicrin is an odourless gas that rots the flesh and kills living cells, as well as working as a tear gas that stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland in the eye to produce tears, the glands working to prevent the gas from rotting or damaging the eyes themselves. It results in partial blindness and great pain or, in significant concentration, permanent blindness. It also causes lung damage if inhaled, and it affects open wounds in the same way, damaging the internal flesh beneath the skin. It is highly toxic and carcinogenic and rots even uncut exposed skin. It increases mortality for wounded patients substantially where there is exposed flesh.

Its use in warfare is contrary to the Chemicals Weapons Conventions and amounts to a war crime subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court under Article 8(e)(xiv) of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court ("employing asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and all analogous liquids, materials or devices").

A World War-I allied advertisement warning of chloropicrin and how to treat it

Chloropicrin has no known antidote, save to rinse the affected area(s) with water and encourage the patient to breathe heavily in and out quickly, if the toxic gas has entered the lungs.

And now here are videos (with faces suitably blurred) and a further photograph to the one at the head of this article, evidencing the use of chloropicrin. This media comes from anonymous Ukrainian Armed Forces battlefield sources at an unstated location on the front line.

These Russian war crimes are a disgrace and they should be prosecuted; civilised nations should take every measure to prevent these disgraceful war crimes.