UK imposes sanctions on Russian commander for Ukraine chemical weapons allegations

The U.K. government has imposed sanctions on Russia’s chemical and biological arm and its commander Igor Kirillov for the alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The British and U.S. authorities accuse Russia of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention by deploying the toxic agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops.

In response, the British Foreign Ministry sanctioned Kirillov, the Russian army’s Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense unit, and two Defense Ministry laboratories. Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Russia’s actions as barbaric and vowed to combat their malign activity.

Chloropicrin, a lung-damaging agent, was used widely during World War I and is now prohibited by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Despite Russia’s denial of possessing a military chemical arsenal, their credibility is in question due to increased frontline attacks using hazardous chemicals in Ukraine.