N 1–2 (179–180) 2022. P. 63–72

MEDICAL PROTECTION OF TROOPS AND POPULATION IN THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Odessa National Medical University, Odesa, Ukraine
State scientific institution «Center of Innovative Medical Technologies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», Kyiv, Ukraine
Ukrainian Military Medical Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine
Main Military Medical Clinical Center (Central Clinical Hospital of the State Border Service of Ukraine), Kyiv, Ukraine

DOI 10.54229/2226-2008-2022-1-2-12

In the war with Ukraine, Russia will probably use chemical weapons, resorting to surgery «under someone else’s flag». This can happen in the form of fake attacks or «exposing» chemical ammunition or Ukrainian agents who «plan» an attack by chemical weapons. Given the reasoned evidence of the use of chemical weapons in Syria and Ukraine and experts, it is appropriate to conclude that chemical weapons are expensive and unpredictable, it is not very effective tools during hostilities, but it belongs to the weapon losses among civilians and troops.

Objective: In the conditions of war to offer the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the peaceful population an algorithm of actions for medical protection when the enemy uses chemical weapons.

Research materials: The research is based on analysis of sources of scientific information, normative-legal documents, scientific publications, materials of scientific-practical conferences on organization of medical support of liquidation of consequences of application of chemical ammunition in combat conditions.

Methods of research: Analytical, bibliographic, historical, logical, system analysis.

Results: The algorithm of actions on home medical care and medical protection of the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the civilian population in case of threat and use of chemical weapons in wartime is proposed.

Conclusions: Experience shows that early, mutually agreed planning of measures to protect troops and the population, the implementation of the algorithm of actions for home care and medical protection in the event of the threat and use of chemical weapons, significantly reduces irreversible and sanitary losses in war.

Key words: medical protection, chemical weapons, fighting.

REFERENCES

1. Svezhentseva I. From Syria to “Novichok”. What do we know about the use of chemical weapons by the Russian Federation and how effective it is. URL: https://suspilne.media/ (in Ukrainian).
2. Russia used chemical substances in the Izyum direction: what is known. URL: https://762project.org/en/2022/04/19 (in Ukrainian).
3. In Rubizhny, the occupiers hit a tank with nitric acid. Military. April 5, 2022. URL: https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/v-rubizhnomu-okupanty-vluchyly-v-tsysternu-z-azotnoyu-kyslotoyu/ (in Ukrainian).
4. Military toxicology, radiology and medical protection: textbook / edited by Yu.M. Skaletskyi, I.R. Mysuly Ternopil: Ukrmedknyga, 2003. P. 165–171, 199–215, 312–329 (in Ukrainian).
5. A New Normal. Ongoing Chemical Weapons Attacks in Syria. Syrian American Medical Society. February 2016. URL: https://www.sams-usa.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/A-New-Normal_Ongoing-Chemical-Weapons-Attacks-in-Syria.compressed.pdf (in English).
6. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction dated January 13, 1993. Ratified by the Law of Ukraine dated October 16, 1998 No. 187-XIV (187-14). (in Ukrainian).
7. Anna Ahronheim. Israeli officials claim Assad ordered attack, warn of Syria’s chemical weapons plants. Jurusalem Post, April 07 2017. URL: https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israeli-officials-claim-Assad-ordered-attack-warn-of-Syrias-chemical-weapons-plants-486165 (in English).
8. Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Essential Reference Guide / ed. by E.A. Croddy, J.A. Larsen, J.J. Wirtz. Santa Barbara : ABC-CLIO, 2018; 359 (in English).
9. Medical aspects of chemical weapons: study guide. Kyiv: UVMA, 2003; 91 (in Ukrainian).
10. Akineton (bipredin). Compendium. Medicines: online guide. URL: https://compendium.com.ua/dec/264286/623103/#toc-0 (in Ukrainian).
11. Military toxicology, radiology, medical protection: textbook / edited by Prof. O.E. Levchenko. Kyiv: N.V. Chalchynska. 2017; 787 (in Ukrainian).
12. Recommendations for providing first aid in case of tear gas poisoning. URL: http://www.oblses.ck.ua/ (in Ukrainian).
13. Optimizing the activities of the state disaster medicine service. Manual I-II volumes / V.P. Pechyborshch and others. Kyiv: N.V. Chalchynska, 2019; 787 (in Ukrainian).
14. Protection against chemical and radiation damage factors: training manual / O.E. Levchenko et al. ; ed. O.E. Levchenko. Kyiv: N.V. Chalchynska, 2015; 403 (in Ukrainian).
15. Recommendations for the public on providing first aid in case of injury by nerve-paralytic combat poisons / Cherkasy Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention. URL: http://www.oblses.ck.ua/ (in Ukrainian).
16. Recommendations for the population on providing first aid in case of injury by poisonous substances of skin-ablative action / State University “Cherkasy Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention”. http://www.oblses.ck.ua/ (in Ukrainian).
17. Military field therapy: textbook / G.V. Osodlo and others. ; ed. A.V. Willow. Kyiv: N.V. Chalchynska, 2017; 620 (in Ukrainian).
18. Recommendations for the public regarding the provision of first aid in case of poisoning by suffocating substances / Cherkasy Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention. URL: http://www.oblses.ck.ua/ (in Ukrainian).
19. What to do in case of a chemical attack or an accident at a chemical enterprise / Ministry of Health of Ukraine. URL: https://moz.gov.ua/article/news/scho-robiti-u-razi-himichnoi-ataki-abo-avarii-na-himpidpriemstvi (in Ukrainian).
20. Medical protection of the population in emergency situations in the unified state system of civil protection / V.P. Pechyborshch and others. Kyiv: Lyudmila, 2019; 693 (in Ukrainian).