Russia Threatens Retaliation Against the United States
Tensions between Russia and the United States have escalated significantly following a Ukrainian strike in Crimea, which Moscow claims was carried out using American missiles. Russia has accused the United States of direct involvement in the conflict, alleging that American specialists, technology, and data were necessary for the strike. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stated that the participation of the United States in the fighting, which led to the death of Russian citizens, must have consequences. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the American ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, to warn her of impending retaliatory measures.
Escalation of Attacks and Use of Banned Chemicals
In response to the alleged American involvement, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, including the use of banned irritant gases. The Ukrainian army reported 715 cases of such attacks in May alone, a significant increase from April. These attacks involved the dropping of K-51 and RG-VO grenades by drones, which are normally used by law enforcement to disperse riots. The use of chemical weapons, such as tear gas, as a means of warfare is a violation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (CIAC). Despite these violations, Russia denies possessing a chemical arsenal.
Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage
The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. In Odessa, a Russian missile attack injured three people and caused a major fire covering 3,000 square meters. The attack destroyed a civilian infrastructure warehouse. In the Kherson region, a 40-year-old man was killed by a bombing in Stepanivka. Additionally, two people died in Kharkiv after their car hit an anti-tank mine. The conflict continues to take a heavy toll on both military and civilian populations, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
- The Ukrainian general staff has accused Russia of intensifying its attacks using tear gas, which is prohibited as a means of warfare under the CIAC. The Ukrainian army documented 715 cases of such attacks in May, an increase of 271 cases from April. These attacks involved the use of K-51 and RG-VO grenades, typically used for riot control.
- In Odessa, a strategic Black Sea port city, a Russian missile attack caused a major fire and injured three people. The attack destroyed a civilian infrastructure warehouse. In the Kherson region, a man was killed by a bombing in Stepanivka, and in Kharkiv, two people died after their car hit an anti-tank mine.
- The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has deemed the information it received on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine as insufficiently substantiated. Despite this, the Ukrainian army continues to document and report these violations.
