Given the failures of the Russian war against Ukraine, fear is growing that Vladimir Putin may dare to use chemical or biological weapons against Ukrainian military and civilians.. But how realistic is that

Georgetown University professor Ben Connable, who specializes in security research, writes about this in an article for the Atlantic Council.. He notes that the Russian autocrat is well aware that chemical and biological weapons cause particular horror.. But using such ammunition is difficult and dangerous even for well-trained professional soldiers.. And there is practically no reason to believe that the Russian military will be able to successfully do this..

Chemical weapons that cause nerve reactions, burns and asphyxiation are designed to kill or maim victims. For example, Russia used Novichok poison in an attempt to kill a political opponent in Salisbury in 2018.. Biological agents such as castor and botulism either kill or incapacitate people. For example, shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, unknown persons sent envelopes with anthrax in an attempt to kill members of the US Congress..

“I myself experienced the fear of a chemical attack when, during the Gulf War in 1991, I examined an unexploded suspicious shell, and also during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. I didn’t know for sure if my chemical protection suit fit well and if there was a gap somewhere through which untold suffering could threaten me.. Luckily, nothing terrible happened.. Those were false alarms.. But even such unfounded fears are very sobering,” Connable writes..

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Others are less fortunate. Dictator Saddam Hussein used poisonous gas to kill thousands of Iranian soldiers during the Iran-Iraq war. He also killed many thousands of his own citizens with chemical weapons.. Syrian civilians recently faced deadly chemical attacks from the Russian-backed Syrian regime.

The author admits that the Russian Federation has significant stocks of chemical and biological weapons. Moscow's promises to destroy the last remnants of Soviet arsenals are no more credible than propaganda stories on Russian TV. However, owning such a fearsome weapon is one thing, but using it is quite another.. The author believes that there are at least three reasons why an attempt to use chemical or biological weapons against Ukraine will end badly for Russia itself..

There is no doubt that if a chemical or biological attack occurs on Ukrainian territory, everyone will understand who is to blame.. Experts believe that Moscow will try to disguise it as a " Russia may even try to create the impression that the Ukrainian military themselves attacked their own population in order to discredit Russia.. Or the Russian side may even try to blame NATO for everything. The domestic public may be affected, but foreign leaders and reporters won't buy it anymore.. Western intelligence and expertise will not allow the Russian army to covertly deploy biological or chemical weapons. Russia failed to hide the use of a classified poison in an attempt to kill individuals. And she will not be able to hide large-scale attacks on the battlefield..

Also the chances of fatal bugs occurring will be very high. Delivery of chemical or biological weapons is an extremely complex task that must be carried out by very well trained and experienced professionals.. It is unlikely that the Russian air force, ground forces or missile forces have the skills necessary to safely and effectively transport such lethal ammunition from warehouses to the place of use..

First of all, you need to transport such weapons without accidents.. Some containers, bombs and projectiles are too old. And their hulls can leak. Then the weapon should be prepared for use from the air, with a rocket or artillery weapons.. This means that soldiers in full protective suit must handle such ammunition with care.. After all, the risk is extremely high even under ideal conditions.. Even before the attack itself, Russian soldiers will be in great danger due to a potential catastrophic mistake..

It is also important to note that the Russian ground forces will not be able to benefit from a chemical or biological attack.. The use of such weapons will certainly lead to terror, death and injury.. But biological or chemical weapons are not magic.. She won't kill everyone she touches. And weaponized gases are incapable of capturing or holding territory.. Shelling large cities with chemical munitions will kill civilians, but will not weaken the resolve of the army of Ukraine or the West. Just the opposite.

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Chemical weapons were commonly used to weaken the enemy before a land offensive.. The soldiers put on protective suits and went on the offensive in the infected zone.. This uses protected conveyors, followed by additional trucks with spare protective equipment.. Given the current state of the Russian army in Ukraine, and the fact that soldiers in Russia are unlikely to have received the necessary training, the use of chemical and biological weapons is simply impossible.. If the Russian army tries to enter the infected environment, then it will face the same suffering as the victims. The author notes that, theoretically, Russian troops could attack Ukraine with chemical or biological weapons.. But they will not be able to do this effectively and without great risk to their forces..