Russian-Ukrainian War: What is chloropicrin, the banned chemical allegedly used by Moscow?

This accusation is reminiscent of methods from another time. On Wednesday, the United States said Russia used chloropicrin against the Ukrainian army. A chemical agent prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). “The use of these chemicals is not an isolated incident and is likely motivated by the desire of Russian forces to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical advances on the battlefield,” the US department said in a press release.

“As always, these accusations seem completely unfounded,” the Russian presidential spokesman retorted. Dmitry Peskov vowed that Moscow complies with its “international legal obligations” in this area.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), chloropicrin is a chemical used as a warfare agent and pesticide. Inhaling it poses a health hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes it as a colorless or slightly yellowish oily liquid. The CDC compares chloropicrin to tear gas. “But its impact is more significant,” explains Jean-Pascal Zanders, a research fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Studies. Police can no longer use him as a riot control agent or during protests. »

Crying, choking and vomiting

Producing a very irritating odor, this product affects the eyes, causing tears, difficulty breathing and vomiting. Less well known than mustard gas, it was nonetheless “the most used chemical weapon” during the First World War, wrote historian Jean-Baptiste Fresso in Le Monde columns. “It had the ability to penetrate filters,” explains Jean-Pascal Zanders. In response, the soldiers vomited in their gas masks, had to remove them, and were therefore exposed to other, much more harmful products sent by the Germans. »

Chloropicrin is originally a phytosanitary product used in agriculture as a pesticide. In France it was banned by ministerial decree in May 1991. Two years later it was banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CIAC), which prohibits its production, storage and use on the battlefield. It is also on the list of banned asphyxiants by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based in The Hague, Netherlands.

Although Russia insists it no longer has a military chemical arsenal, it has faced several charges alleging the use of toxic weapons since the invasion of Ukraine began. The international community noted the lack of transparency. In early April, the Telegraph newspaper published an investigation alleging that the Russian military “carried out illegal chemical attacks against Ukrainian soldiers.” British media have already mentioned the potential use of chloropicrin.

Force soldiers to leave protected positions?

Jean-Pascal Zanders says he is “surprised” by the US report’s mention of the molecule’s use on the front panel. Its use remains “possible,” but the biological and chemical weapons specialist points to Ukrainian reports “which explain that he saw weapons improvised with chloropicrin, without mention of its use.”

On the other hand, the Trench researcher identified evidence of CS tear gas use. “The front is static, with trenches,” the expert describes. This is done in order to force the soldiers to leave their protected positions. Many Ukrainian soldiers were recently recruited and were not trained in chemical warfare. »

In turn, the US State Department pointed to “Russia’s continued disregard for its obligations under the CIAC,” linking this to “the poisoning operations of Alexei Navalny, Sergei and Yulia Skripal with Novichok-type neurotoxic agents.” Washington also imposed new sanctions against research units and companies participating in Russian chemical and biological weapons programs.