Russias Escalating Chemical Warfare in Ukraine: Intelligence Reports Urge Stricter Sanctions and Ongoing Military Support

Dutch and German intelligence agencies announced on Friday that they have gathered evidence indicating an increased utilization of chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine, urging for stricter sanctions on Moscow and ongoing military backing for Kyiv.

The Netherlands’ military intelligence service (MIVD) and domestic intelligence agency (AIVD), in cooperation with Germany’s federal intelligence service (BND), reported the identification of chloropicrin as a chemical agent, which can be deadly when used in high concentrations within confined spaces.

In May, the United States placed sanctions on Russia due to its alleged employment of chloropicrin and tear gas, citing violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Kremlin dismissed these allegations as «groundless.»

The Dutch and German authorities indicated that Russia’s military command, as well as its forces specializing in radiological, chemical, and biological defense, are «supporting» and «actively facilitating» the deployment of prohibited substances on the battlefield.

They commented that the use of both tear gas and chloropicrin by Russian forces has now become routine and is likely to continue posing a threat in the future.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans characterized the «systemic and large-scale» deployment of these chemicals as a «slippery slope,» threatening not only Ukraine but also Europe and the broader global community.

He stated, «This necessitates additional sanctions, the isolation of Russia, and unwavering military support for Ukraine.»

Brekelmans shared these findings with the Dutch parliament to combat the potential «normalization» of chemical weapons usage, according to MIVD.

The intelligence agencies reported that Ukraine has recorded over 9,000 chemical attacks attributed to Russian forces since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022, with at least three Ukrainian fatalities directly linked to chemical exposure.

They added that Russia’s use of chemical weapons has indirectly resulted in a significantly higher number of Ukrainian casualties, as it has compelled many Ukrainian soldiers to abandon their positions, making them vulnerable to conventional attacks.

Both nations have accused one another of deploying chemical weapons throughout the conflict. Moscow asserts that it no longer has a military chemical arsenal, yet it continues to face international calls for greater transparency regarding its suspected use of toxic substances.