Russia Enhances Employment of Chemical Weapons within Ukraine Conflict
Recent intelligence reports from Dutch and German agencies suggest that Russia has escalated its use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, with chloropicrin and tear gas being among the substances deployed. These chemicals, banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), are being used to force Ukrainian soldiers out of their trenches, making them vulnerable to conventional firepower.
Chloropicrin, a World War I-era poison gas, can cause severe respiratory distress, including intense coughing, vomiting, and choking, and can be fatal in high concentrations, particularly in enclosed spaces. Tear gas, while used for law enforcement purposes, is prohibited in warfare and causes irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system but is not typically fatal.
The Netherlands and Germany have called for increased sanctions against Russia and continued military support for Ukraine, citing the normalization of chemical weapons use as a concerning trend. The United States has already imposed sanctions on Russia for its alleged use of chloropicrin and tear gas, which Russia denies as baseless.
Russia is a signatory to the CWC, which aims for a global ban on chemical weapons. However, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has not conducted a full investigation into the incidents involving CS due to the lack of a formal request from member states. There is growing international concern about the implications of Russia's actions for European and global security, with fears that such practices could become normalized.
As of the end of May 2025, Ukraine has documented around 9,700 cases where Russian troops have used ammunition with dangerous chemical warfare agents. The Ukrainian General Staff states that the Russian army has not deployed deadly chemical warfare agents but has used ammunition with dangerous chemical warfare agents as weapons of war. Chloropicrin is a chemical warfare agent that belongs to the group of lung agents and was deployed during World War I under the designation Green Cross-1.
The continued use of chemical weapons by Russia is likely to pose a significant threat, violating international law and the Geneva Conventions when used in warfare. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for Russia to adhere to the CWC and respect international law.
War-and-conflicts in Ukraine continue to dominate general-news headlines, with politics playing a significant role in the response from various nations. The Netherlands and Germany, along with the United States, have condemned Russia's use of chemical weapons, specifically chloropicrin and tear gas, in violation of the CWC and international law, prompting calls for increased sanctions and military support for Ukraine.
