On Friday, Dutch and German intelligence agencies reported that they had obtained evidence indicating an increased use of chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine. They urged for stricter sanctions against Moscow and emphasized the need for ongoing military assistance to Kyiv.
The military and general intelligence services of the Netherlands, MIVD and AIVD, along with Germany’s BND foreign intelligence service, revealed the identification of the chemical agent chloropicrin, which “can be lethal at high concentrations in confined spaces.”
In May, the United States imposed sanctions on Russia for purportedly using chloropicrin and tear gas in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Kremlin dismissed these claims as “unfounded.”
The Dutch and German intelligence agencies stated that the Russian military command, along with its radiological, chemical, and biological defense units, were “supporting” and “actively facilitating” the deployment of prohibited substances in combat situations.
“The usage of both tear gas and chloropicrin by Russian forces has become standard practice and is likely to pose a continued threat in the future,” they conveyed in a joint statement.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans characterized the “systemic and extensive” application of these chemicals as a “slippery slope” that jeopardizes not only Ukraine but also Europe and the broader international community.
“This necessitates additional sanctions, the isolation of Russia, and unwavering military support for Ukraine,” he remarked.
Brekelmans briefed the Dutch parliament on these findings, which were made public to combat the “normalization” of chemical weapon usage, as reported by MIVD.
The intelligence services noted that Ukraine has recorded over 9,000 chemical attacks by Russian troops since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022, with at least three Ukrainian fatalities associated directly with chemical exposure.
“Russia’s use of chemical weapons has indirectly resulted in significantly greater numbers of Ukrainian casualties, compelling many Ukrainian soldiers to expose themselves, making them vulnerable to conventional weaponry,” the agencies added.
Both Russia and Ukraine have accused one another of utilizing chemical weapons during the conflict. Moscow asserts that it no longer has a military chemical stockpile, while still facing international calls for increased transparency regarding its alleged employment of toxic substances.
