Chemical Weapons

While waging war against Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly used munitions prohibited by the rules of war – cluster munitions, vacuum and even phosphorus bombs. At the same time, Russia accuses Ukraine of manufacturing chemical weapons and of allegedly criminal research "in American biolabs", which are supposedly located on the territory of Ukraine. Many factors indicate that Russia may carry out criminal chemical attacks. This is reported by:

• foreign intelligence;

• Ukrainian intelligence officers;

• the Ukrainian authorities, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

What chemical weapons are

Chemical weapons are a type of weapon of mass destruction whose active components are toxic substances. This type of munition is not humane and is prohibited by a UN Convention. Ukraine adheres to the rules of non-production and non-use, but Russia, it seems, is already ready to violate this ban too – recently, in Ukraine's Popasna, the occupiers used a phosphorus bomb, which was used back in the First World War – this chemical weapon causes grievous bodily harm and does not stop burning – the burning temperature of white phosphorus exceeds 800 degrees.

How chemical weapons work

By purpose, there are 3 types:

• Irritants – which damage the organs of vision and breathing and cause irritation;

• Incapacitants – act on the nervous system, cause mental disorders and temporarily incapacitate a person;

• Lethal – the most destructive chemical weapons, which can cause irreparable harm to health and even take lives.

All chemical munitions contain active toxic components that affect the human body on a mass or targeted scale.

Methods of dispersal:

• Aerosol – from cylinders or canisters;

• Aerodynamic – involving aircraft that spray chemicals;

• Explosive – in the form of bombs and shells.

What the consequences of chemical weapons can be

People exposed to a chemical attack can suffer irreparable mutilation, poisoning, damage to the nervous system and many other injuries – this weapon is extremely dangerous to the body.

Consequences:

• Eye irritation and blindness;

• Damage to the respiratory tract, shortness of breath and suffocation;

• Stomach problems – vomiting, diarrhoea, ulcers and more;

• Damage to the central nervous system – paralysis, movement disorders, loss of consciousness;

• Critical damage to skin and muscles – some substances eat the body down to the bone;

• Death.