**Russia’s Desperate Measures: EU Diplomat Sounds Alarm on Chemical Warfare in Ukraine**
Top European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas has condemned Russia’s increasing use of chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine, saying that Moscow is “trying to cause as much pain and suffering as possible.” This disturbing trend shows no signs of slowing down, with recent reports suggesting that Russian forces have carried out over 9,000 chemical attacks against Ukrainian troops since the start of the full-scale conflict in 2022.
This alarming figure was revealed by Kallas during a press conference in Brussels, where she emphasized that Russia’s actions are not only morally reprehensible but also a clear breach of international law. The use of chemical agents on the battlefield is banned under the Geneva Conventions, and yet Russia continues to ignore these rules with impunity.
**The Devastating Impact**
According to reports from the Dutch and German intelligence agencies, Russian forces have been increasingly deploying chemical weapons, including the highly toxic chloropicrin, a World War I-era agent. This deadly substance is reportedly dropped by drones to flush Ukrainian soldiers from their trenches, leaving them exposed to further drone or artillery strikes. The consequences of this tactic are devastating, with at least three Ukrainian soldiers reported dead as a result of direct exposure.
**Western Response**
The EU, the United States, and the UK have taken action against Russia’s banned tactics by imposing sanctions on Moscow. These measures are a clear indication that the international community will not stand idly by while Russia engages in such heinous behavior. The use of chemical weapons is a war crime, and those responsible must be held accountable.
**A Desperate Attempt to Gain an Advantage**
Kallas’s comments suggest that Russia is resorting to these extreme measures because it is struggling to gain the upper hand on the battlefield. By using chemical agents, Moscow hopes to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible on Ukrainian troops, ultimately forcing them to surrender. This approach may be desperate, but it is also a stark reminder of the horrors that war can unleash.
**The Kyiv Independent**
Last December, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) assassinated Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Armed Forces’ radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, in a daring operation. Kirillov was on the UK sanctions list due to his involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. This brazen move by the SBU shows that Ukraine will not hesitate to take decisive action against those responsible for these atrocities.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
