Russian troops launch 447 chemical attacks on Ukrainian soldiers in August – Ukraine’s armed forces

In August, the Russian army launched 447 attacks on the Ukrainian Defense Forces using special ammunition containing hazardous chemical substances.

The command of the Support Forces of Ukraine's armed forces announced this on Facebook.

It has been confirmed that, between February 15, 2023, and August 24 of this year, the total number of chemical attacks carried out by the Russian army was 4,035.

"In addition to the conventional means of destruction, the enemy is employing munitions that are armed with hazardous chemicals, specifically K-51 and RG-VO. These materials are typically used for riot control and banned in warfare. Additionally, many munitions contain unidentified dangerous chemical compounds," the Support Forces noted.

The statement highlights that Russia's actions blatantly violate the laws of warfare, disregarding the conventions and agreements regarding the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.

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In June, it was announced that the member states of the Initiative for information exchange in the areas of radiation, chemicals, biology, and nuclear safety and security had committed to training and equipping the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces personnel for their protection.

The document's authors pointed out that the Russian Federation's statements and actions throughout the full-blown war against Ukraine posed a grave danger to the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials and facilities in Ukraine, specifically the capture of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The states involved in the Initiative are also expressing grave concern about reports of heightened intensity in Russian chemical attacks against Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces, as well as the use of various chemical weapons by Russian forces on the battlefield.

"Participating states of the Initiative strongly condemn Russia's use of chemical substances in Ukraine and undertake to provide training and supply of equipment necessary to protect the personnel of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, as well as to hold Russia accountable," the joint statement said.

Canada, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Ukraine, Great Britain, and the United States of America supported the initiative.

The information exchange initiative was created in 2016 as part of the Group of Seven initiative "Global Partnership Against the Proliferation of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction" in connection with the Russian Federation's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. It unites countries from the international community of donors to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine to ensure radiation and nuclear safety.

As previously reported, the tendency of the Russian occupiers to use dangerous chemicals at the front is increasing. Such actions became systemic.

As of March, since the beginning of the large-scale war, the Russian army has carried out 1,068 chemical attacks in Ukraine, including 250 in February 2024.

Moreover, the Ukrainian military, repelling Russian aggression in the Zaporizhzhia region, faced a new threat – the use of poison gas as a weapon by the occupiers.

According to an anonymous Ukrainian intelligence official, the Russians employ a type of CS tear gas commonly used during large-scale disturbances, which can temporarily disable an individual by irritating the eyes, nose, lungs, and skin.