Kiev preparing more chemical weapons strikes – Moscow
Ukrainian forces are set to increase their use of chemical weapons by making specialized shells compatible with Western-donated artillery systems, the Russian commander responsible for defenses against weapons of mass destruction claimed on Tuesday.
General Igor Kirillov was briefing the media on the work done by his division in the context of the Ukraine conflict. He said Kiev’s troops remain a threat in terms of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
”Operative intelligence suggests that Ukrainian troops are preparing chemical shells compatible with Western-produced artillery systems,” he said, citing military documents recovered from captured Ukrainian positions.
He shared several pages from a Ukrainian manual on the use of a US-designed 155mm self-propelled M109 howitzer in A3GN and A4 configurations. The handbook includes instructions on how to distinguish and handle munitions with chemical payloads.
Kirillov said Russian chemical weapons experts had identified more than 400 apparent cases of banned arms being used during the ongoing conflict. He expects more to emerge, “considering the multiple provocations involving toxic chemicals and attempts on the lives of officials in new Russian regions.”
Among the evidence, the general reported the delivery to Ukraine of roughly 500 tons of Triethanolamine (TEOA), a compound listed under Schedule 3 of the CWC, since it can be used to manufacture nitrogen mustard. A Ukrainian firm imported over 160 tons of the compound in July alone, and Russia found no evidence that the chemical was intended for peaceful purposes, Kirillov said.
”I’d like to remind you how the purchase of similar chemicals by Syria caused an uproar among Western nations,” the general said. Consequently, he added, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the CWC implementing body, last year recommended a full ban on the exportation of dual-use chemicals to the Middle Eastern country.
Kirillov claimed that the OPCW was applying double standards to its work because its decision-making process “is fully controlled by the US,” which has subverted the international agency for its geopolitical goals. He urged the global community to take heed of his warnings about Ukrainian actions, and called on the watchdog to do its job and hold Kiev accountable for breaches of the CWC.
