What Are Chemical Weapons, And What Would Happen If They Were Used By Russia?

Photo caption: Smoke rises from heavy shelling in Damascus, Syria, where chemical weapons have allegedly been used repeatedly. Photo via Associated Press. Article by Graeme Demianyk. HuffPost – March 11, 2022.

The US, UK and its allies have been voicing their concern about Russia using chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine. Here’s a guide to what they are and whether their use would represent an escalation of tensions that widens the conflict.

What are chemical weapons?

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the global watchdog that oversees implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), says a chemical weapon is a chemical used to cause intentional death or harm through its toxic properties. […]

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Related articles:

Intelligence points to heightened risk of Russian chemical attack in Ukraine, officials say – The Washington Post

Britain and US fear Russia could be setting stage to use chemical weapons – The Guardian

Russia escalates false chemical weapons claims about US, Ukraine by bringing them to UN – ABC News