Blinken says, U.S. has 'credible reports' that Russian forces may use variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents that would cause stronger symptoms, to incapacitate Ukrainian fighters & civilians, as part of aggressive campaign to take Mariupol.

"... We shared that information with #Ukraine, as well as with other partners" Blinken says.

U.S. is 'not in a position' to confirm the latest reports of the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.

#StandWithUkraine

Blinken added that the use of chemical weapons is of “a real concern” and US officials are aware of the possibility that chemical weapons may be used.

#StandWithUkraine

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Alex Raufoglu

@ralakbar

Feb 27

@Amnesty

'@Amnesty has confirmed that a 220mm Uragan rocket dropped cluster munitions on the Sonechko nursery and kindergarten in the town of Okhtyrka in Sumy Oblast, on Feb 25, where local people were seeking safety from the fighting.

"The strike may constitute a war crime." - Amnesty

@AgnesCallamard

“There is no possible justification for dropping cluster munitions in populated areas, let alone near a school,” @AgnesCallamard

“This attack bears all the hallmarks of Russia’s use of this inherently indiscriminate and internationally-banned weapon..."

Under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions -- a treaty backed by more than 100 states, but which Ukraine and Russia have not joined -- the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions is prohibited under all circumstances.

Read 10 tweets

Alex Raufoglu

@ralakbar

Feb 26

Update: "As of this morning, we have no indication that the Russian military has taken control over any cities, and we still believe that Russia has yet to achieve air superiority," a senior U.S. defense official says.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine over the last 24 hours has been observed to occur over three main axes: from the south — including an amphibious assault from the Sea of Azov; from the north central; and from the northeast, a senior defense official said.

Over the last 24 hours or so, the U.S. has continued to observe more than 250 Russian missile launches, mostly short-range ballistic missiles, the official said.

"We continue to see civilian infrastructure and residential areas impacted and damaged by these missile strikes."

Read 5 tweets

Alex Raufoglu

@ralakbar

Feb 25

Ukrainian service members are fighting bravely — and effectively — for their country against the massive Russian onslaught, a senior defense official said at the Pentagon today.

#StandWithUkriane

The official, speaking on background, said Russian forces attacking toward the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv are going slower than they anticipated.

"They are meeting more resistance than they expected," the official said.

The invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 23, is designed to "decapitate" the Ukrainian government so Russia can install its own puppet regime, DOD officials

#StandWithUkriane

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