This gas was used by German troops during the First World War.
The United States has accused Russia of using chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military. This is stated in a statement of the US State Department, published on May 1.
“Russia is using the chemical substance chloropicrin against the Ukrainian military, which violates the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons,” the department said.
“The use of such chemicals is likely motivated by the Russian forces’ desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical success on the battlefield,” the statement said.
According to the Ukrainian military, in addition to chloropicrin, the Russian military used tear gas grenades.
At least 500 Ukrainian soldiers were treated for exposure to toxic substances and one died after suffocating from the gas.
Chloropicrin is blacklisted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It was used by German troops during World War I.
