On May 27, 2021, 10 army trucks and four dark SUVs slid into YangonS Insein township hours before dawn.
As residents slept, more than 100 soldiers from Myanmar’s military quietly moved through the neighbourhood along the eastern banks of the Hlaing River.
When they reached Grace Oo’s apartment door, all hell broke loose.
“They broke down the door. I thought to myself, ‘I’m done.’ They can kill us,” Grace told the ABC.
“They were yelling, ‘Do you have a weapon? Do you have a bomb?’“
Grace and her boyfriend were held at gunpoint in their living room and repeatedly punched.
Within minutes, they were thrown into trucks and taken to the police station.
grace recalls feeling stunned and bruised all over her face as they sped through the empty streets of Yangon.
The city of Yangon in Myanmar, pictured on December 24, 2025. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)
On her phone, police found selfies of her posing with a handgun, and training videos on assembling a homemade bomb.
“before 2021, I never imagined that I could do this. But what they [the military junta] did was not right,” she said.
“I had to do it.”
Just four months earlier, the 3
For more than 30 years, pro-democracy activists had been fighting and dying on the streets of Myanmar to resist military dictatorship.
By the time Grace’s generation was old enough to vote, these efforts were beginning to pay off.
In 2010, Suu Kyi was released after years living under house arrest, and the NLD was allowed to stand for political office.
In the 2015 and 2020 polls, it won an absolute majority of seats.
the optimism that swept the country was electric. Voter turnout peaked at about 70 per cent in the last election, with residents lining up outside polling stations before dawn, eager to be the first to cast their ballots.
Many, including Grace, who voted for the NLD, were convinced that the era of military rule was behind them.
“We had so much hope that our country would become great,” Grace told the ABC.
“If we could win the election,our future was brighter and brighter.”
It was also an exuberant time in Grace’s life.
Grace Oo was caught by surprise on the day of Myanmar’s military coup. (Supplied: Grace Oo)
She was the daughter of two pastors and had grown up singing in their church choir in Yangon.
An American music teacher introduced Grace to opera when she was 17,and it quickly became her passion,along with karate.
“Before 2021, I was a professional vocal coach for famous pop singers,” she said.
“I was at home, and I didn’t know what had happened,” Grace said.
“My father came in and said, ‘There was a coup. They did it again.’
“I couldn’t do anything, I collapsed. I was so disappointed and depressed.”
Six days later, Grace wandered into downtown Yangon alone and disappeared into the crowd of demonstrators.
“I had to do it because all of our hope was destroyed by them,” she said.
“We had to protest to show them that we did not accept the coup.
“We didn’t fight. Some students even gave flowers to the police as they wanted to show their love. It was very peaceful.”
Peaceful protests began in Yangon, and spread across the country. (Reuters)
The demonstrations continued for weeks – there were dragon dances outside the Chinese embassy, gen Z girls protesting in pink pyjamas, poets leading thousands of people in chants.
But in April, the trajectory of Grace’s life, and that of her country, changed forever.
Table of Contents
Russia’s Use of Chemical Weapons in Ukraine
Ukraine and its allies accuse Russia of using chemical weapons during the ongoing conflict, allegations Russia denies. Reports surfaced in 2023 and 2024 detailing incidents involving tear gas and other irritants deployed against Ukrainian soldiers, and more recently, potential use of more lethal agents. As of january 24, 2026, investigations are ongoing, and independant verification remains challenging due to the active conflict zone.
Allegations and Reported Incidents
The first credible reports of chemical weapon use emerged in April 2023, centering around the besieged city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian military personnel reported experiencing symptoms consistent with exposure to tear gas after Russian forces launched attacks. Further incidents were reported in the fall of 2023 and throughout 2024, with claims of both tear gas and possibly more hazardous chemical agents being deployed by Russian drones.
Specifically, on November 11, 2023, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces used tear gas grenades against Ukrainian troops near Avdiivka. Reuters reported on the incident, citing Ukrainian military statements. These reports have been difficult to independently verify due to the ongoing fighting and limited access to the affected areas.
International Response and Investigations
The organization for the prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is investigating the allegations, but its ability to conduct on-site investigations is severely hampered by the security situation in Ukraine. The OPCW has stated it is collecting facts from various sources, including reports from Ukraine and other member states. The OPCW’s official website details its ongoing monitoring efforts.
Several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have condemned the alleged use of chemical weapons and have pledged to hold russia accountable. On December 7, 2023, the U.S. State Department announced sanctions against individuals and entities believed to be involved in the advancement and deployment of chemical weapons. The state Department’s press release outlines the sanctions.
Russian Denial and counter-Claims
The Russian government consistently denies any involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, dismissing the allegations as “fabrications” and “provocations.” Russian officials have accused Ukraine of staging false flag operations to garner international sympathy and support. On January 15, 2024, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson maria Zakharova stated that the accusations were “categorically false” and ”a purposeful attempt to discredit Russia.” TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported on Zakharova’s statement.
The Chemical Weapons convention (CWC)
The use of chemical weapons is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), an international treaty signed in 1993. Both Russia and Ukraine are signatories to the CWC. The CWC prohibits the development,production,stockpiling,and use of chemical weapons. The OPCW provides detailed information about the CWC. Violations of the CWC can lead to international sanctions and other punitive measures.
Current Status (as of January 24, 2026)
As of January 24, 2026, the situation remains unresolved. The OPCW investigation is ongoing,but progress is slow due to the ongoing conflict. Independent verification of the allegations is still lacking. Reports of potential chemical weapon use continue to surface, though definitive proof remains elusive. The international community continues to call for a full and transparent investigation,and for Russia to abide by its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
