Russia Utilizes Grenades with Suffocating Chemicals on the Front Line

On the Zaporizhzhia direction in Ukraine, Russian forces are increasingly employing grenades containing harmful chemical substances. This action represents a potential violation of the chemical weapons ban convention, to which Russia is a signatory, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War.

Dmytro Lykhovy, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military group Taurida, highlighted in a statement issued on Monday that between March 4th and March 10th, Russian armed forces deployed at least 60 grenades containing suffocating and tear-producing substances against Ukrainian forces in the Taurida operation zone.

This area spans from Avdiivka to the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Lykhovy noted that the enemy’s practice of using poisonous ammunition is evidence of their inability to achieve their goals through other means.

Chloropicrin in Grenades

He also expressed his suspicion that Russian forces are likely equipping grenades with the toxic agent chloropicrin or a substance with similar effects.

Chloropicrin is a substance that destroys the lungs and is often used for riot control. It has tear gas-like properties – it is not lethal, but inhaling it can have a very harmful effect on the body.

The use of such a substance in grenades by Russian forces is further evidence of their readiness to violate international norms and conventions regarding the conduct of warfare.