Russia accused of using illegal chemical grenades on Ukranian troops. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Ukraine has accused Russia of using illegal chemical gas attacks against Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield, according to a Telegraph investigation.
A number of Ukrainian soldiers have claimed that they have been subjected to regular attacks by small drones dropping tear gas and other chemicals.
The use of the chemical, known as CS, is banned during war under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which both Russia and Ukraine signed.
Tear gas is typically used by riot police.
Ilhor, a Ukrainian commander near the front line city of Chasiv Yar, told The Telegraph: “Nearly every position in our area of the front was getting one or two gas grenades dropped on them a day.”
The commander added, “The only way for them to successfully attack us was with gas”.
He also said that even when not immediately lethal, the attacks caused panic amongst soldiers, making them vulnerable to attacks with conventional weapons.
“Their first instinct is to get out,” said Ihor.
Two other Ukrainian soldiers on opposite ends of the front line reported that they had to carry gas masks at all times as a result of the illegal attacks.
Rebekah Maciorowski, an American medic and nurse serving in the Ukrainian army, provided the Telegraph a CS gas grenade as evidence. The grenade was originally retrieved by soldiers in the 53rd Mechanised Brigade.
“My guys retrieved it whilst under fire because nobody believed they were being attacked with chemical weapons,” she said.
Marc-Michael Blum, a chemical weapons expert, confirmed the grenade was a k-51 gas grenade, which typically was filled with tear gas and other chemicals.
Russia has denied all allegations of using chemical weapons and instead accused Ukrainian troops of using them, which Ukraine has denied.
