Russian forces use chemical-laden grenades in Ukraine, flouting international law

Dmytro Lychovyi, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Taurida group, reported that from March 4 to March 10, the Russian army deployed over 60 grenades armed with asphyxiating and irritant agents against Ukrainian forces within the Taurida operational zone, stretching from Avdiivka to the western parts of the Zaporizhzhia area.

Lychovyi highlighted that the adversary's reliance on toxic munitions underscores their inability to accomplish their objectives by conventional means.

He further conjectured that the Russian forces were likely loading grenades with chloropicrin or a similar toxic agent.

Chloropicrin, a lung-damaging agent often employed for riot control, possesses tear gas effects. While not lethal, its inhalation can severely harm the body. The deployment of such agents in grenades by the Russian military signals a readiness to flout international norms and conventions governing warfare.