Main image by Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Stre
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops and their leader, Igor Kirillov, specifically for the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
This was reported by the UK government press service.
Russian forces admitted to using chloropicrin, a toxic substance first deployed during World War I. This breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention is a serious violation of international law.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated:
"The UK will not sit idly by whilst Putin and his mafia state ride roughshod over international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention. I have made it my personal mission to challenge this malign activity, and I will not back down. Russia’s cruel and inhumane tactics on the battlefield are abhorrent and I will use the full arsenal of powers at my disposal to combat Russia’s malign activity. Let me be clear; Putin and those who carry out his will have nowhere left to hide. We will continue to use sanctions to directly target and counter the Kremlin’s attempts to sow fear, division and disorder"
Defense Secretary John Healey emphasized that the UK intends to punish violations of international law and support Ukraine for as long as necessary.
"Our message to Putin and his regime is clear: you cannot break international law without facing the consequences. We will not allow such blatant violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and rules-based international order to go unpunished. The UK is cracking down on those responsible for these horrific chemical attacks in Ukraine. Our support for Ukraine is ironclad and will continue for as long as it takes."
The UK also imposed sanctions on two Russian laboratories involved in chemical weapons development and promised to continue military and financial support for Ukraine, including £3 billion in annual aid.
