Dutch and German intelligence services have presented evidence pointing to the widespread and systematic use of banned chemical weapons by Russian forces in Ukraine.
According to findings made public on Friday, Russian troops have used choking agents, including chloropicrin, to force Ukrainian soldiers from entrenched positions, subsequently targeting them with conventional weapons.
The Dutch Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, stated that Moscow’s use of chemical weapons has intensified and become a routine feature of its military operations in Ukraine. “The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons,” he said in an interview with Reuters. “This intensification is concerning because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now, where Russia’s use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more normalised, standardised, and widespread.”
The German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) has confirmed the findings, having worked in conjunction with the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD). The MIVD’s Director, Peter Reesink, noted that the conclusion was based on independent observations and intelligence-gathering efforts conducted by his agency.
Although the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), headquartered in The Hague, has yet to open a formal investigation, these developments may place further pressure on the body. The OPCW, which includes Russia among its 193 member states, has stated that previous claims from both Russia and Ukraine lacked sufficient substantiation for official inquiry.
The United States first accused Russian forces of deploying chloropicrin on the battlefield in May 2024. Chloropicrin, a chemical warfare agent first deployed by Germany during the First World War, is significantly more toxic than conventional riot control substances. It causes severe respiratory and ocular distress and can result in permanent damage if exposure is prolonged or occurs in confined spaces.
Brekelmans reported that at least three Ukrainian deaths and over 2,500 cases of exposure-related symptoms have been documented by Ukraine’s health authorities. These include breathing difficulties, nausea, and chemical burns. Ukrainian authorities have independently reported approximately 9,000 suspected incidents of chemical weapon use by Russian forces.
Reesink indicated that Russia’s chemical warfare activities go beyond isolated or tactical use, amounting to a broad and structured military programme. “This isn’t just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is truly part of a large-scale programme,” he said. Intelligence findings suggest Russia has increased its chemical weapons production capabilities, stepped up research in the area, and recruited scientists to develop new toxic agents. Russian troops have reportedly received training in deploying such weapons, further underlining the systemic nature of their use.
Improvised chemical munitions appear to be commonly employed. Reesink detailed how substances such as chloropicrin are being delivered using makeshift devices—ranging from light bulbs and plastic bottles filled with chemical agents to modified teargas cartridges deployed via drones.
According to Brekelmans, the strategic use of chemical weapons presents a threat not only to Ukraine but potentially to other European countries. He argued that the response to such violations should include additional sanctions and Russia’s exclusion from international institutions such as the Executive Council of the OPCW. “We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW,” he said.
A formal letter outlining these intelligence conclusions has been submitted to the Dutch Parliament. Dutch intelligence agencies also claim to possess verifiable evidence of intensified Russian research into chemical warfare and instruction manuals for Russian troops on the use of such agents.
Russia, which is a signatory to the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, claims to have destroyed its declared stockpiles—a claim also made by the United States. Moscow has repeatedly denied the use of banned chemical agents in Ukraine and has in turn accused Kyiv of deploying similar tactics. Most recently, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged that Ukrainian forces were discovered to possess explosive devices containing chloropicrin in the country’s east, an accusation which Ukraine has denied.
Despite mounting allegations and intelligence, no member state has yet requested a formal OPCW investigation under the framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Member states are required to initiate such procedures, and the agency cannot act unilaterally.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is reportedly considering proposals to add 15 new individuals and entities to its sanctions list in response to Russia’s suspected use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. Discussions are expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks, particularly as negotiations over rotating seats on the OPCW’s Executive Council are due later this year.
Dutch officials maintain that the evidence gathered thus far should serve as a warning that the continued use and normalisation of chemical weapons on the battlefield risks undermining the international prohibition regime established after the Cold War. As Brekelmans noted, “If we don’t clarify and publicise what Russia is doing, it’s highly likely these trends will continue.”
The OPCW has not yet commented on the newly released intelligence.
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