The US has accused Russia of using chemical weapons

The United States has accused Russia of using the "chemical weapon chlorpicrin against Ukrainian forces" in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, reported AFP. 
In addition, Russia has used "riot control agents (tear gas) as a method of waging war in Ukraine, also in violation of the Convention," the State Department said in a statement.
"The use of such chemicals was not an isolated incident and was likely prompted by the desire of Russian forces to dislodge Ukrainian forces from entrenched positions and achieve tactical successes on the battlefield," the State Department said. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sweeping sanctions aimed at crippling Russia's military and industrial capabilities — including targeting nearly 300 entities in Russia, China and other countries accused of supporting President Vladimir Putin's invasion. The sanctions are intended to punish companies that help Moscow acquire weapons for its war in Ukraine. They also target Russian government entities and companies involved in the country's chemical and biological weapons programs.
Russia has said it no longer possesses a military chemical arsenal, but the country is facing pressure for more transparency about its alleged use of toxic weapons. According to the US National Institutes of Health, the chemical chloropicrin is used as both a combat agent and a pesticide. Inhalation poses a health risk.
Today's actions will further overshadow Russia's military efforts to operate its military-industrial base and the obfuscation networks that help supply it,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. The accusations and sanctions come a week after US President Joe Biden signed a much-delayed bill to provide new funding to Ukraine as Kiev's military struggles to contain Russian advances. "Combined, our support for Ukraine and our relentless targeting of Russia's military capabilities give Ukraine a critical edge on the battlefield."
As part of the measures, the State Department blacklisted additional individuals and companies involved in Moscow's energy, mining and metals sectors. The sanctions also target individuals linked to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Siberian prison in February.
The nearly 300 sanctioned targets include dozens of actors accused of allowing Russia to acquire desperately needed technology and equipment from abroad, the Treasury Department said. Some of those involved are based in countries such as China, which have faced increasing pressure from Washington over support for Russia during its 15-month invasion of Ukraine. "This support enables Russia to continue its war against Ukraine and poses a significant threat to international security," the Treasury Department said. In addition to China, the targeted non-Russian organizations were located in Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. These companies "enable Russia to acquire desperately needed technology and equipment from abroad," the statement said. /BGNES