According to reports from Dutch intelligence agencies, Russia has allegedly intensified its use of banned chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Reuters news agency, citing the Dutch Defense Minister and the head of the Netherlands’ military intelligence service, reported that Russia has deployed the toxic agent chloropicrin as part of these prohibited chemical weapons.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for stricter sanctions against Moscow, stating, “The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons. This escalation is concerning because it fits a trend we have observed for many years, where the use of chemical weapons by Russia in this war is considered normal and widespread.”
German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) corroborated the findings, jointly issuing a statement with Dutch counterparts. According to the joint announcement, Russian forces have made the use of tear gas and chloropicrin a regular practice on the battlefield.
These findings mark the first time such evidence has been publicly presented. Peter Reesink, head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Service (MIVD), emphasized that the conclusions were based on independent intelligence gathered by their own investigations.
Russia denies all allegations and accuses Ukraine of using chemical agents instead. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, claimed that the FSB discovered explosive devices containing chloropicrin in eastern Ukraine — a claim Ukraine firmly rejects.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) stated last year that accusations exchanged between the two countries were “insufficiently documented.” To date, no full investigation has been requested by member states.
At least three deaths in Ukraine have been linked to the use of chemical weapons, according to Brekelmans, while more than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield have reported symptoms associated with exposure to chemical agents.
Reesink noted that thousands of incidents involving chemical weapon usage have been recorded, citing Ukrainian authorities who put the number at around 9,000. He added that the deployment of chloropicrin has largely been connected to improvised ordnance, including lamps and bottles attached to drones. Tear gas has also reportedly been misused and adapted into existing munitions.
Chloropicrin, classified by the OPCW as a prohibited choking agent, causes severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Ingestion can lead to burns in the mouth and stomach, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath.