Accusations against Moscow

OPCW: evidence of chemical weapons “insufficient”

Examination of soil samples in the laboratory of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(Bild: APA/AFP/JOHN THYS)

Both Ukraine and Russia have recently accused each other of using chemical weapons in the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the information currently available is "insufficient".

However, the situation in the war zone in Ukraine remains difficult, the organization said in a statement on Tuesday. The OPCW is extremely concerned about the possible use of chemical weapons. Last week, the USA announced that Russia had used chemical substances as a weapon in Ukraine. Russia denied the allegations.

Both Moscow and Kiev have signed the Chemical Weapons Convention and have therefore committed themselves to destroying all stocks of weapons and not using chemical substances as weapons. The OPCW points out that substances used as tear gas during riots, for example, are also prohibited in war zones.

New sanctions against Russia
The US government recently imposed new sanctions against Russia due to the latest allegations. These affect several state institutions that are allegedly linked to the chemical weapons program.