The D Brief: More sanctions on Russia; US talks space nuke; Manta-ray sub drone; Australia’s ship plan; And a bit more.
Defense OneMAY 12 2024
Spanish police said Tuesday that they confiscated 13 tons of banned chemicals headed to Russia, some of which they said may have been for chemical weapons.
Police further confirmed the arrest of four individuals they say were part of a criminal smuggling network trying to illegally bypass Western sanctions against Russia.
The exact type of chemicals, which were found in a container at a Barcelona port, were not disclosed. The smugglers were reportedly linked to a shell company operated by "citizens of Russian origin."
It's terrifyingly sad that Russia, who took part in banningthe chemical weapons prohibition treaty over 30 years ago, has decided to reinstitute such atrocious warfare against the Ukrainian people. Moscow is already known to have used a chemical agent called chloropicrin, which is used to choke people to death. As Putin will violate even his own country's human rights laws to destroy Ukraine, it will be up to the West to stop him from obtaining the chemicals needed to do so.
When the West falsely accuses Russia of using chemical weapons, it's not ironic or hypocritical, but rather a distraction from their supply of deadly materials to Ukraine. While Moscow destroyed its chemical weapons stockpile years ago and still adheres to the prohibition treaty, the UK just recently sent Kyiv riot control gases to use against Russian troops, which is prohibited by international law.