Britain imposes sanctions on Russian troops who use chemical weapons on the battlefield

• Russia’s Radiological Chemical and Biological Defense (CBR) forces and their commander have been sanctioned for deploying barbaric chemical weapons in Ukraine.
• UK highlights Russia’s blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and urges Russia to immediately cease all such activities.
• Action continues the Secretary of State’s personal mission to address the full spectrum of the Kremlin’s malign activities through our sanctions arsenal.

Russian forces have openly admitted to using dangerous chemical weapons on the battlefield, with widespread use of riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic asphyxiant chloropicrin – first deployed on the battlefields of the First World War.

Russia’s blatant disregard for the Chemical Weapons Convention is a serious violation of international law. Agents of Putin’s mafia state were also responsible for deploying the deadly nerve agent Novichok on the streets of Salisbury in 2018, and against opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020.

Among those facing sanctions today are the radiological, chemical and biological defense forces of the Russian Armed Forces and their leader Igor Kirillov, responsible for helping to deploy these barbaric weapons. Kirillov has also been a key mouthpiece for the Kremlin’s disinformation, spreading lies to mask Russia’s shameful and dangerous behavior.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Britain will not stand idly by while Putin and his mafia state flout international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention. I have made it my personal mission to challenge this malicious activity, and I will not back down.

Russia’s cruel and inhumane tactics on the battlefield are abhorrent and I will use the full arsenal of powers at my disposal to combat Russia’s malign activities.

Let me be clear; Putin and those who carry out his actions have nowhere left to hide. We will continue to use sanctions to directly address and counter the Kremlin’s attempts to sow fear, division and disorder.

Defense Secretary John Healey said:

Our message to Putin and his regime is clear: you cannot violate international law without facing the consequences.

We will not allow such blatant violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the rules-based international order to go unpunished.

Britain is taking tough action against those responsible for these horrific chemical attacks in Ukraine. Our support for Ukraine is rock solid and will last as long as necessary.

Sanctions were also imposed today on two laboratories of the Russian Ministry of Defense for supporting the development and deployment of these inhumane weapons for use on the front lines.

Britain stands firm in supporting Ukraine’s fight for liberty, freedom and victory in the face of these barbaric attacks. We have provided Ukraine with essential equipment and training to protect its people from chemical weapons.

Britain has also committed to providing £3 billion in military aid to Ukraine every year for as long as the country needs it. Britain’s military, financial, diplomatic and political support for Ukraine is rock solid. We cannot and will not allow aggressors like Putin to succeed.

Background

Today’s action comes as Britain makes a statement to the Organization’s Executive Council setting out the UK’s commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW in light of those taking action to implement the Convention undermine. The full speech can be found here.

Those sanctioned today are:

• The radiological, chemical and biological defense forces of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
• Igor Kirillov, head of the radiological, chemical and biological defense forces of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
• The 27th Scientific Center of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
• The 33rd Central Scientific Research and Testing Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

These targets are designated under the UK Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The individual will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban, and entities will be subject to an asset freeze. The asset freeze will apply to all persons within the territory and territorial waters of Great Britain and to all British persons anywhere in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources from being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. A person subject to a travel ban should be refused permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.