Britain has imposed sanctions on Russian forces over the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Russian units involved in the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on October 8.

Russia’s Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces and their chief, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, were among those subject to sanctions, while two Russian Defense Ministry scientific centers were also on the list.

Russia’s use of gas attacks is increasing, an August Kiev Independent investigation found. According to the Support Forces of the Ukrainian Army, a branch of the military responsible for inspecting chemical warfare, 229 cases were recorded in January, compared to 639 in June and 358 in July.

Since the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion, Ukraine has recorded more than 4,000 cases of Russian chemical agents used on Ukraine’s front lines, including more than 3,100 reported cases since December 2023.

“The United Kingdom will not stand idly by while (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his mafia state flout international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement.

“The use of such chemicals is not isolated and is likely motivated by the desire of Russian forces to drive Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and gain tactical gains on the battlefield,” the US State Department said in May, stating it alleged that Moscow committed human rights violations. the Chemical Weapons Convention by using riot control tools as a method of war.