Use of Chemical Weapons Authorized

Date: June 12, 1921 • Location: Rasskazovskiy Rayon, Russian Federation

Soviet politician Vladimir Antonov-Ovseenko authorised the use of chemical weapons against a peasant rebellion in the Tambov Governorate.

Vladimir Alexandrovich Antonov-Ovseenko, real surname Ovseenko, party aliases 'Bayonet' (Штык) and 'Nikita' (Никита), literary pseudonym A. Galsky, was a prominent Bolshevik leader, Soviet statesman, military commander, and diplomat. He was executed during the Great Purge.