Dutch and German intelligence agencies said they have gathered evidence that Russia is expanding the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including the choking agent chloropicrin. The services—MIVD, AIVD and Germany’s BND—report that Russian forces are dropping the substance from drones to drive Ukrainian soldiers out of trenches before shooting them. At least three deaths and about 2,500 battlefield injuries have been directly linked to chemical exposure, while Ukraine alleges some 9,000 incidents overall.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans told Reuters the deployment of chemical agents has become “normalized, standardized and widespread,” marking a significant escalation in Moscow’s tactics. He urged the European Union to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and to push for its removal from the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The intelligence services say the findings point to a large-scale Russian program that is ramping up production capacity, recruiting scientists and issuing frontline instructions on chemical warfare. Their assessment, detailed in a letter to the Dutch parliament on 4 July, is based on independent investigations as well as shared material between the Dutch and German agencies.
The OPCW has not yet been asked by member states to launch a formal investigation. Russia, which has previously denied using illegal munitions and accused Ukraine of similar actions, did not immediately comment on the latest claims. European officials warn that unchecked chemical warfare in Ukraine could lower the global threshold for such weapons and pose risks beyond the current conflict.
🇷🇺🇺🇦 RUSSIA ACCUSED OF USING CHEMICAL WEAPONS 'AT SCALE' IN UKRAINE
Dutch and German intelligence say Russia isn’t just dipping into banned chemical weapons - it's running a full-on program.
The report says Russian forces are dropping choking agents like chloropicrin from
🇳🇱 Dutch and German intelligence (MIVD, AIVD, and BND) say Russia is increasingly using chemical weapons in Ukraine, including deadly agents like chloropicrin, a serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The use of tear gas & choking agents has also become routine.
Russia uses chemical weapons in Ukraine
European intelligence reports indicate that Russia has increasingly used chemical weapons, including chloropicrin—a toxic tear gas banned by the OPCW—in its war against Ukraine.
Peter Ruzink, Director of the Netherlands’ MIVD, states that
Dutch intelligence services document Russia’s widespread use of banned chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine, says Dutch Defense Minister.
Ruben Brekelmans has called for stronger sanctions against Russia.
"This escalation is concerning, as it is part of a trend we have
🇳🇱🇩🇪☢️ Dutch and German intelligence agencies have collected evidence of Russia's widespread use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including dropping a choking agent from drones to drive soldiers out of trenches and shoot them, — Reuters.
Germany confirms reports of Russian use of chemical weapon chloropicrin that damages lung
A German government spokesman said the action was a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention