US: Russia has violated the international ban on the use of chemical weapons

On Wednesday, April 12, the United States accused Russia of violating the international ban on the use of chemical weapons during the Ukraine war. The US State Department, in a statement referencing Russia's use of the chemical agent chloropicrin as a choking agent and tear gas as a 'weapon of war in Ukraine,' stated: 'The use of such chemical materials is not an isolated incident and is likely driven by the Russian forces' desire to dislodge Ukrainian troops from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield.' The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based in The Hague and established to implement and oversee compliance with the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, has prohibited the use of chloropicrin. The US State Department emphasized that it would present its evidence that Russia's use of chloropicrin against Ukrainian soldiers violates the Chemical Weapons Convention to Congress. The US has imposed new sanctions aimed at reducing the Kremlin's ability to advance the war with Ukraine and limiting Russia's revenue and access to the materials and tools needed to continue the war. On Wednesday, April 12, the US Treasury Department stated that the new sanctions target the base of Russia's military industries and its chemical and biological weapons. The new US sanctions also include companies and individuals in third countries like China that assist Russia in supplying weapons or other defense products, enabling it to continue its war against Ukraine, which poses a serious threat to international security. About 300 entities or individuals sanctioned by the US Treasury and State Departments include dozens of agents who help Russia procure technology and tools from abroad. Janet Yellen, the US Treasury Secretary, stated in a statement that the department has repeatedly warned that companies providing materials and tools needed to support Russia's war in Ukraine will face 'very severe' consequences. In addition to nearly 200 individuals and companies sanctioned by the Treasury Department, the State Department has also sanctioned over 80 entities and individuals that have attempted to evade sanctions or have engaged in activities related to chemical and biological weapons and strengthening Russia's defense base. The US State Department has also targeted Russia's revenue sources in the energy, metals, and mining sectors with sanctions and has sanctioned individuals related to the death of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader in prison. The US has sanctioned 300 individuals and entities in connection with supporting Russia in the war with Ukraine. Russian missile attack on the port of Odessa in Ukraine; three killed. Estonia: Russia has jeopardized flight security in the Baltic region by disrupting GPS. Russian missile attack on a training center in the port of Odessa in Ukraine left four dead.