Russia breached global chemical weapons ban in Ukraine war, US says

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian servicemen of 79th brigade take part in training, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Wednesday accused Russia of violating the international chemical weapons ban by deploying the choking agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops and using riot control agents "as a method of warfare" in Ukraine.

"The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident and is probably driven by Russian forces' desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield," the State Department said in a statement.