Ukrainian officials say Russia is ramping up its use of chemical weapons, with more than 200 attacks in January alone.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported on Friday that it has recorded 815 cases in which Russian forces deployed weapons “loaded with toxic chemicals.”
A whopping 229 of these incidents occurred in January alone, with military officials previously saying that in just one day – on Jan. 29 — Russian forces launched five separate attacks with munitions containing poisonous chemicals, the Kyiv Independent reports.
The government has claimed Moscow is using chloropicrin in its attacks — a poison gas that was used in World War I.
But officials now say the Russians are also using CS, or tear gas, in their grenades.
CS was banned for use as a chemical weapon in the Geneva Conventions, and Article I of the International Chemical Weapons Convention states: “Each state party undertakes not to use riot control agents as a method of warfare.”
Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in its ongoing war with Ukraine — and has instead claimed Ukrainian forces are the ones using chemical weapons.
3
Ukraine accused Russia on Friday of using toxic chemicals in more than 200 attacks on the battlefield in January alone, a sharp increase in what it said were recorded instances of their use by Russian forces. REUTERS
The report comes as the country struggles to meet the demand for ammunition amid personnel shortages.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that he replaced the country’s popular commander-in-chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi with Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“As of today, a new management team takes over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the president said in a statement.
Zelensky said in his statement that he had met Zaluzhnyi to discuss high-level changes and asked the general to remain “on his team.”
3
Russia has denied allegations of using chemical weapons in Ukraine and has accused Ukrainian forces of their use, which Kyiv denies. AFP via Getty Images
In his nightly address, Zelensky shed some more light on the reasoning behind his decision to supplant Zaluzhnyi — pointing a finger at Ukraine’s failed summer counteroffensive.
“Unfortunately, we failed to achieve the goals of our state on land,” he said.
“We have to speak honestly — the feeling of stagnation, specifically in the southern directions and the difficulties in the battles in the Donetsk region have affected the public mood. Ukrainians are speaking of victory less often.”
3
The Ukrainian general staff said: “815 cases of the use of ammunition loaded with toxic chemicals by the Russian Federation were recorded. Of these, only in January 2024 – 229 cases.” Andreas Stroh/ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.com
Zelensky insisted that Zaluzhnyi’s ouster was “certainly not about politics,” but instead was prompted by an urgent need to reorganize the management of the military and draw on the experience of battlefield commanders like Syrskyi — who successfully defended Kyiv in the first weeks of the war, and later took part in the surprise counteroffensive that liberated the Kharkiv region.
“I am grateful to General Zaluzhnyi for two years of defense,” the president added. “I am grateful for every victory we have achieved together, thanks to all the Ukrainian soldiers who heroically carry this war on their shoulders.”
With Post wires
News Related-
Panthers-Senators brawl ends in 10-minute penalty for all players on ice
-
Mom of 2 goes missing after leaving mental health treatment in Texas, never boarding plane to California to see kids for Thanksgiving
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
RBA boss Michele Bullock concedes borrowers ‘very unhappy’ with rate hikes
-
Australians on alert for scammers after bushfire destroys 18 homes, businesses
-
OnlyFans star Seb Guilhaus set to plead to drug trafficking charges in January
-
Armed gang terrorise couple in violent home invasion
-
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB
-
Lee Hsien Yang ordered to pay damages to Shanmugam, Vivian for defaming them over Ridout Road rentals
-
Cow of breed that produces high-end Japanese beef rakes in record $271,000 at auction
-
North Korea cites rare dissent in elections even as 99% back candidates
-
Faulty pipe caused water leakage and ‘very bad odour’ at Jem mall