Russian troops continue to invade Ukraine.


There is growing concern that the Russian army may use biological and chemical weapons, especially in Western countries.


What are biological and chemical weapons in the first place?

What if it is used?


I asked overseas experts.


(Tetsutaro Soe, General Bureau of the United States / Kosuke Watanabe, Washington Bureau)

What is a biological weapon?

Biological weapons use bacteria and viruses that infect humans as weapons, and like nuclear weapons, they are "weapons of mass destruction" that kill a large number of people.



Russia is believed to have continued research to use various pathogens as weapons since the former Soviet era.

Specifically, what kind of biological weapons were you researching?

It uses "anthrax" and "smallpox virus".


Russia is believed to have had an anthrax production facility in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and is also believed to have produced and stored "smallpox virus" in Russia.



In addition, it is believed that research has been conducted on the use of "Ebola virus" and "Yersinia pestis" as weapons since the former Soviet era.

What is a chemical weapon?

Chemical weapons are weapons that kill a large number of people by exploding ammunition containing chemical agents, and are "weapons of mass destruction" like biological weapons.



Russia is said to have developed chemical weapons called "Salingus", "VX gas" and "Novichok" since the former Soviet era.


Both are highly toxic "nerve agents" that interfere with neurotransmission and cause respiratory problems.

Are biological and chemical weapons prohibited?

The use of either weapon is prohibited by the 1925 International Convention "Geneva Protocol".


Then, in 1975, the "Biological Weapons Convention" prohibiting the development, production, and possession of biological weapons, and in 1997, the "Chemical Weapons Convention" prohibiting the same, came into effect.


Russia is also a signatory to these international treaties.

Do you own Russia?

Based on the treaty, it says "all discarded".



In September 2017, President Putin released a video on a videophone that allegedly abandoned all remaining chemical weapons in Russia.



President Putin said:


"It's a very important and historic day for Russia."

Who was the chemist involved in the development of chemical weapons in the former Soviet Union?

"Russia's claim to abandon all chemical weapons is false in the first place."

This is pointed out by chemist Bill Milzayanov, who was involved in the development of chemical weapons such as the "Novichok" in the former Soviet era, and subsequently accused Russia of continuing development contrary to international agreements.



And Mr. Mirzayanov continued:


"Russia has abandoned chemical weapons that can no longer be used, and possesses weapons called" new generations "such as" Novichok. "My estimates are that about 3000 tons are stored. That's enough to kill millions. "

What is Russia's claim?

As experts point out, Russia claims that it "may be used by the American side."



President Putin said on March 16th:


"American-backed experiments on coronavirus, anthrax, cholera, etc. are being conducted at Ukrainian laboratories. There is good reason to believe that biological weapons have been created.



" "On March 19, the director of the Center, Mizintsev, said:


"Ukrainian troops are planning provocations with toxic chemicals in southern Mykolaiv."

What is the American claim to?

"Putin is being cornered. The more cornered, the more intense tactics he will use."



US President Joe Biden said on March 21 that Russian troops were facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian troops. Said:



Secretary of State Antony Blinken also increased his alertness on March 17, stating:


"Russia may be trying to use chemical weapons and then develop the allegations that Ukraine did it, justifying the intensification of attacks on Ukrainian people. Larger-scale military action Forging Genocide to justify this is the method Russia has taken so far. "

Who was the former senior official in charge of biological and chemical weapons at the US Department of Defense?

"Russia's claim to manufacture biological weapons in Ukraine is unfounded."

This is emphasized by Andrew Webber, who was the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons at the US Department of Defense and was involved in the disposal of biological and chemical weapons during the former Soviet era in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.



Webber said the US support for Ukraine was "strengthening public health and disease control," and "there is no military benefit to the use of biological and chemical weapons."

What could Russia use?

Webber talks about that possibility:


"As the Russian army makes great sacrifices,'soft targets' such as Ukrainian citizens are being targeted. May be used for the purpose of causing fear among people, demoralizing and forcing surrender. "There is"



, said the chemist Mirzayanov, who analyzes that the chemical weapon "Nobicok" is "sufficiently possible" to be used.


"'Novichok' is not only intended to be used as an assassination for individuals, but also as a weapon to attack large numbers of people on the battlefield."

What if it is used?

"It is possible that humanitarian assistance will be greatly affected, such as the outbreak of large numbers of refugees and measures against infectious diseases."

James Roller, an associate professor at the University of Nebraska, who was involved in biological and chemical weapons measures under the Bush and Obama administrations, said:



In addition, Associate Professor Roller said that not only the damage to combatants and non-combatants, but also the damage to not only Ukraine but also neighboring countries may be affected, so diagnostic kits, antidotes, antibacterial agents, therapeutic agents. It is complaining that it is necessary to prepare for such things.



On top of that, when Russia uses biological weapons, "use anthrax that does not infect humans from human to human," considering that the use of highly contagious pathogens can have a negative impact on their own people across national borders. It is possible to do it. "

What has Russia used in the past?

The West believes that Russia has used or was involved in the use of the chemical weapon Novichok.


Specifically, there are the following two cases.


▽ Attempted assassination of former Russian spy Scripal and his daughter in March 2018


▽ August 2020 Assassination in Russia where dissident leader Nawarinui was attacked and temporarily unconscious Attempted Incident



In addition, the OPCW = Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons carried out an air bombing on a town controlled by rebels in March 2017 in Hama Province in central Syria, and chemical weapons such as salingus were used. I conclude that it was.


Regarding this, the US State Department points out Russia's involvement, saying that "Russia's support for the Assad regime is suspected of enabling the continued use of chemical weapons."

If used, how will Europe and the United States respond?

Additional sanctions on Russia and increased support for Ukraine are expected.


However, I don't know if we will take military countermeasures.



President Biden said on March 24 that he would "take appropriate action" when chemical weapons were used, while "deciding at that time" about the possibility of countermeasures by military action. increase.



President Biden has consistently denied that military action could lead to World War III with nuclear weapons, but it was somehow to President Putin that he did not rule out NATO's military action. It is believed that the aim was to discourage the use of biological and chemical weapons.



However, Mr. Mirzayanov is pessimistic, saying, "I don't think Russia will listen to these voices."



NATO, such as the United States, will be faced with a difficult response as to how it can stop the further sacrifice of Ukrainians while avoiding a full-scale military clash with Russia.