Dutch and German intelligence confirm Russia is using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.

 

Dutch and German intelligence agencies have confirmed the widespread use of banned chemical weapons by Russian forces in Ukraine. According to Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans, these actions mark a worrying trend where chemical warfare is becoming a normalized tactic by Russia in its war against Ukraine. The Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD, supported by Germany’s foreign intelligence service (BND), gathered evidence independently, observing increased use of agents like chloropicrin, a choking chemical first used in World War One. These chemicals are reportedly being delivered via drones using improvised devices such as glass bulbs and plastic bottles. Once dropped, they force Ukrainian troops out of trenches, leaving them vulnerable to gunfire. The use of chemical weapons in this way is now considered by Dutch intelligence as part of a structured, large-scale Russian program not isolated field experiments. Brekelmans warned that the intensifying use of these substances should alarm the international community. He called for stricter sanctions on Russia, including revoking its role in the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The OPCW has not yet launched a formal investigation into the claims, as that process must be initiated by member states. Meanwhile, the United States had already accused Russia of using chloropicrin as early as May 2023. Russia, however, continues to deny all such accusations.

At least three Ukrainian soldiers have died, and more than 2,500 have reported symptoms consistent with exposure to chemical weapons, according to Ukrainian health officials. The Dutch intelligence community links these injuries to substances like chloropicrin and illegally repurposed tear gas. Brekelmans emphasized that these incidents are not sporadic but instead appear as routine tactics for Russian forces, a claim supported by thousands of reported cases. Ukraine cites over 9,000 instances of chemical weapon use, according to military records. Beyond the battlefield, the situation could trigger broader political consequences. Brekelmans argued that Russia should not be allowed to participate in international institutions such as the OPCW, which oversees compliance with the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention. Intelligence agencies warn that Russia is not only deploying these agents in combat but also investing in long-term chemical weapons development, recruiting scientists and boosting research capacity. The European Commission is currently reviewing plans to sanction 15 additional individuals and organizations suspected of involvement in the production or use of chemical agents. These proposed measures could be coordinated with findings from the Dutch and German intelligence communities. Russia, meanwhile, continues to deny any wrongdoing. In response, its Foreign Ministry claimed Ukrainian forces were the ones found storing chemicals like chloropicrin. Ukraine strongly refutes this. The OPCW has stated that previous claims from both sides lacked sufficient proof to warrant an official probe, but new intelligence might prompt further international scrutiny if member states choose to act. Dutch officials insist that continued global silence could normalize the use of chemical warfare, raising security concerns not only for Ukraine but for Europe and beyond.

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