Occupiers use chemical weapons against AFU in Bakhmut direction

This was reported by the speaker of the Tavrian defence force, Oleksiy Dmytrashkovskyy.

He said that according to preliminary information, the invaders were using the chemical element lewisite. He also noted that there were already casualties:

Its symptoms are nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness," the Defence Force spokesman added.

For information: lewisite is a persistent poisonous substance. It irritates the mucous membranes and respiratory organs. Signs of damage appear 3-5 minutes after contact with skin or body. The upper respiratory tract is first affected when vapours or aerosols are inhaled.

In mild poisoning, the lesions may disappear after a few days. Severe poisoning is accompanied by nausea, headache, loss of voice, vomiting and general weakness. Chest cramps and shortness of breath are signs of severe poisoning. Sight organs are very sensitive to lewisite; contact with eye drops leads to loss of sight in 7-10 days.

In Russia, a plant for processing lewisite was built in Kambarka (Udmurtia).

In 1993, lewisite was banned by the Convention as a chemical weapon.