Dutch intelligence services have reportedly gathered evidence of widespread use of banned chemical weapons by Russian forces in Ukraine. According to Reuters, citing the Dutch Defense Minister and head of the country’s military intelligence service, Russia has used toxic agents including chloropicrin on Ukrainian soil. The Dutch Defense Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, called for stricter sanctions against Moscow, stating: ‘The key conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons.’
This escalation is worrying as it fits a long-term trend where Russia increasingly normalizes the use of such weapons during the ongoing conflict. German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) confirmed this information today (04.07.2025), supporting data collected jointly with Dutch agencies. In a joint statement, the BND, Dutch military intelligence (MIVD), and civilian AIVD said the use of tear gas and chloropicrin by Russian troops has become routine and widespread.
Chloropicrin, a banned choking agent first developed during World War I, had not been previously reported in this context. Peter Reesink, head of MIVD, emphasized that the findings were based on independent Dutch intelligence: ‘We ourselves have observed this through our own research.’
Meanwhile, Russia denies the allegations and accuses Ukraine of using chemical substances. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that Russian security forces found explosive devices containing chloropicrin in eastern areas controlled by Ukraine. Kyiv strongly rejects these accusations.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which counts 193 member states, stated last year that both sides’ mutual claims are ‘insufficiently substantiated’ but no full investigation has been requested so far. At least three deaths in Ukraine have been linked to chemical weapons use, according to Brekelmans, while more than 2,500 injured soldiers reported symptoms consistent with exposure to chemical agents.
Reesink also mentioned thousands of cases of chemical weapon usage, citing Ukrainian authorities who estimate the number at around 9,000 incidents. He added that Russia’s increased production capabilities include expanded research efforts and recruitment of scientists to develop new chemical warfare agents. Russian officials have reportedly issued instructions to troops on how to deploy these toxic agents.
‘It’s not just ad-hoc battlefield use,’ Reesink stressed. ‘It’s part of a large-scale program, which is reasonably concerning because if we don’t expose what Russia is doing, these trends could continue.’
According to reports, chloropicrin has primarily been linked to improvised ordnance like light bulbs and bottles hung from drones. Tear gas is also being misused, with existing munitions converted into carriers of the substance. Chloropicrin causes severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. It can cause burns in the mouth and stomach, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath if ingested.