KYIV, Ukraine – The United States has accused Russia of violating the international chemical weapons ban by allegedly deploying chloropicrin gas against Ukrainian troops and using riot control chemicals as a method of warfare in Ukraine. The U.S. State Department compared Russia’s use of these chemicals to previous incidents involving nerve agents, such as novichok. The state department stated that this information would be presented to Congress.

According to Ukrainian military claims, Russian forces have also been accused of using grenades loaded with CS and CN gases in addition to chloropicrin. The U.S. government has responded by imposing sanctions on Russian state entities and companies connected to Moscow’s chemical and biological weapons programs, including a specialized military unit allegedly involved in using chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops. The State Department is expected to share its findings with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Recent attacks by Russia in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv and Donetsk regions have resulted in the deaths of five civilians. The casualties include a 38-year-old woman and her father in a guided bomb attack in the Kharkiv region, as well as individuals in the Donetsk region. The ongoing conflict has left many residents in cities like Chasiv Yar without basic necessities like running water or power.

In Chasiv Yar, where 682 residents are struggling to survive in difficult conditions, Russian artillery attacks have taken a toll on the city’s infrastructure. Nova Poshta, a postal and courier company in Ukraine, reported that their sorting depot in Odesa was hit by a missile, causing injuries but no fatalities among their employees. The escalation of violence has led to increased concerns for civilian safety in the region.

Additionally, a Russian national has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his involvement with an organization seeking to restore the “Russian empire,” including Ukraine. Tomas Ianchauskas, who mainly resides in Russia, admitted to being the regional leader of the Tsargrad Society, which is allegedly controlled by sanctioned Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeyev. Ianchauskas faces potential prison time for making false statements to FBI agents.

As tensions continue to escalate in Ukraine, the international community remains concerned about the impact of Russia’s actions on the region’s stability and civilian population. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides preparing for further confrontations in the coming days.