The 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons in war. The 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) bans production, use and stockpiling of chemical weapons. Russia has signed and ratified both documents. Yet, they did not stop the aggressor from using chemical weapons on its domestic political opponents and on citizens of Syria and Ukraine.
Remains of chemical weapons were found in the village of Bilka, Okhtyrka district, Sumy region. Traces of sarin and discarded ampoules were discovered, Sumy region officials report. It is possible that the occupants wanted to use sarin in Kyiv, Poltava or other cities. Earlier this month the Russian army had used an unknown poisonous substance against the Ukrainian military and civilians in Mariupol.
The victims had respiratory failure and incoordination, as eyewitnesses stated. The Pentagon said it had no evidence that the Russian military had used chemical weapons in Mariupol so far. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged the world to react preventively.
So how does Russia violate international agreements on the non-use of chemical weapons in Ukraine today? What should the global community do today? Ukraine in Flames #41 deliberates.
Speakers:
- Viktor Trehubov, captain of Ukrainian Armed Forces
- Volodymyr Sarkisian, chemist and journalist Iuriy Oliinyk, PhD in Political Science, Head of Research Programs of «Ukrainian Studies of Strategic Disquisitions» Non-Governmental Analytical Center.
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center, Ukrainian Catholic University’s analitical center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.