The role of chemical weapons in the Ukraine conflict
Anneleen van der Meer, assistant professor in the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA), discusses Russia's alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine in light of the killing of Russian general Igor Kirillov in an article for The Conversation.
Kirillov was the commander of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Forces and was accused of overseeing the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Van der Meer highlights that Ukraine's SBU security services have claimed responsibility for the attack, labeling Kirillov a legitimate target due to his war crimes.
The context of chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict is important. Van der Meer points out that while chemical weapons have been prohibited for nearly a century, there have been unconfirmed reports of their use by Russian forces as early as April 2022. She states: 'We have seen that the front has been static for a long time, and by resorting to these types of weapons, the Russians may be trying to force a breakthrough'. Van der Meer further notes that the US has accused Russia of using tear gas and chloropicrin, a toxic nerve irritant.
Van der Meer mentions that the use of chemical weapons serves a dual purpose: tactical advantage and signaling defiance. 'This has effects beyond the battlefield, provoking fear in Ukrainian defenders but also challenging Ukraine's own commitment to play by the rules'. She emphasizes that any use of chemical weapons in conflict violates international law, regardless of the specific agent used.
Read the full article on the website of The Conversation.