Eight countries to help Ukrainian forces defend against Russia’s chemical attacks

The participant countries of the Ukraine chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) Information Sharing Initiative (ISI) have committed to provide training and equipment to protect the personnel of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces.

This is said in a statement by the participant countries of the Ukraine CBRN ISI, according to Ukrinform.

The authors of the document noted that Russia's words and actions during the full-scale war against Ukraine, in particular Russia's seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, created a serious threat to the safety of nuclear and other radioactive materials and facilities in Ukraine. The participant countries also expressed deep concerns by reports that the frequency of Russia’s chemical attacks against Ukrainian forces is increasing, as is the variety of chemical munitions that Russian forces are using on the battlefield.

“ISI participant countries condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s use of chemical agents in Ukraine and are committed to providing the training and equipment needed to protect Ukrainian personnel, and to holding Russia to account,” the statement reads.

The following participant countries of the Ukraine CBRN ISI have endorsed this statement: Canada, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States of America.

Established in 2016 as a result of the Russian Federation’s occupation of Crimea and as an offshoot of the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, the ISI convenes likeminded countries of the international donor community to meet Ukraine’s most urgent radiological and nuclear security needs.

Illustrative photo: mil.in.ua