Ukrainian troops claimed that they were hit by an agent dropped from a drone that Russia used to unleash their chemical weapons. This attack has left them with respiratory failure leaving them feeling dizzy and having difficulties breathing.
The unverified reports from the city of Mariupol's Azov regiment said that the chemical weapons were dropped at the southern port city, which has been a focal point of the Russian attack that has killed over 10,000 civilians so far. The attack came after the British government's Ministry of Defense warned that deadly phosphorus bombs could be used to break resistance.
A member of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces looks at destructions following a shelling in Ukraine's second-biggest city of Kharkiv on March 7, 2022.
Russia Drops Chemical Weapons on Mariupol
The details of the assault were shared on the Telegram app with MailOnline quoting, a "poisonous substance of unknown origin has led to the city's defenders suffering from symptoms including breathing issues, respiratory failure, and vestibulo-atactic syndrome."
Before the attack, a pro-Russian general in Donbas implied support for the use of chemical weapons that would smoke Ukrainian troops out of hiding.
Ukrainian Parliament also warned its residents in Donetsk via Twitter to wear protective masks soaked in soda after receiving reports that Russia is firing nitric acid in the region. However, it is unclear whether the attacks are connected. The Ministry of Defense earlier warned that Russia is preparing to use deadly phosphorus bombs in Mariupol.
Phosphorus bombs are not classified as chemical weapons under the Chemical Weapons Convention. However, the substance could still significantly cause horrendous injuries, and its use on civilians is considered a war crime. As of now, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and her team are working to verify the reports.
Is Nitric Acid Considered a Chemical Weapon?
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) defines a chemical weapon as a chemical used to cause intentional harm or death through toxic properties, including munitions, devices, and other equipment designed to weaponize toxic chemicals.
As Russia unleashes its chemical weapons on Ukraine, reports claim that they have hit a nitric acid tank in the city of Rubizhne, Luhansk Region. One government official told Fox News that if Russia intentionally hit the tank holding nitric acid to release nitrogen dioxide gas into the air, then it would be considered a chemical weapon.
Why is Nitric Acid Dangerous?
Nitric acid is one of the components of acid rain and is formed when nitric oxide is combined with water vapor in the atmosphere. According to a paper in the European Respiratory Journal, nitric acid, also known as aqua fortis, is a highly corrosive mineral acid.
Accidental inhalation or ingestion of this chemical could be fatal. Its weak poisoning capabilities could affect the respiratory system, causing bronchitis, mild bronchiolitis, dizziness, and drowsiness. But a more serious poisoning may lead to pulmonary edema.
Moreover, the Public Health of England said that acute ingestion of nitric acid might cause burns to the esophagus, which can cause hemorrhage, ulceration, and perforation. It may also lead to abdominal pain, nausea, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and hematemesis or could be fatal in some cases.
Dermal exposure may result in deep burns, blisters, and permanent scarring. Likewise, ocular exposure may also cause burns in the cornea, as well as lacrimation, photophobia, and blindness.
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