The US State Department has indicated that Russian troops used chloropicrin, a banned chemical, against Ukrainian armed forces, confirming Kiev's accusations. “The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident and is likely driven by Russian forces seeking to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and gain tactical advantages on the battlefield,” the State Department noted.
“Hateful and unfounded” accusations, replied Moscow's ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, quoted by the Ria Novosti agency. Russia has in turn repeatedly denounced the use of chemical weapons by Ukrainian forces.