The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Sunday that the country is accusing Russia of using explosives containing banned chemical compounds against Ukrainian soldiers in their trenches.
The report added that 626 cases have been recorded since the war began nearly two years ago. Since the beginning of January, there have been 51 cases, with a growing trend of up to 10 attacks per day. It is reported that these explosives, containing tear gas, have been dropped from drones or fired by artillery. The same poisonous gas is also used by police in many regions.
The use of such gas in warfare is prohibited under the United Nations Chemical Weapons Convention, which Moscow has also signed.
The recent war between Russia and Ukraine, which escalated significantly with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has deep historical and political roots. The conflict stems from a complex interplay of historical ties, national identity, geopolitical interests, and regional security concerns.
The relationship between Russia and Ukraine has been historically intertwined, with Ukraine being part of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. However, Ukraine has also been influenced by European powers and has a distinct national identity. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine embarked on its own path, which often diverged from Russia’s interests.
Tensions escalated in 2014 following the Ukrainian Revolution, which led to the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. In response to this revolution and the subsequent shift towards Western alignment by Ukraine, Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014. This move was widely condemned by the international community and was seen as a violation of international law. Following the annexation of Crimea, pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Eastern Ukraine declared independence, leading to a conflict with the Ukrainian government.
The situation further deteriorated in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This invasion was met with international condemnation and led to widespread sanctions against Russia. The conflict has resulted in significant human casualties, massive displacement of people, and extensive damage to infrastructure.
