European intelligence accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine
The Netherlands and Germany accuse Russia of the large-scale and systematic use of chemical warfare agents against the Ukrainian army. The accusations involve not only gas but also the dangerous substance chloropicrin.
Photo: Fred Romero, CC BY-SA 2.0
The German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), together with two Dutch agencies — the MIVD and AIVD — reported a sharp escalation in Russia’s use of chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine.
According to the July 4 report, the Russian army regularly uses not only tear gas but also chloropicrin — a toxic compound capable of causing fatal suffocation in enclosed spaces.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans warned that chemical attacks have become systematic and large-scale.
“This is a road to disaster. We cannot remain silent — otherwise, this will become the norm,” he stated.
According to MIVD chief Pieter Resink, Russia is willing to go further, and the threat from the Kremlin’s chemical weapons program is only growing.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense claims that more than 9,000 chemical attacks have been documented since 2022. At least three soldiers died directly from toxins, while hundreds were harmed indirectly — forced out of shelters and killed with conventional weapons.
European intelligence agencies note that the use of chemical weapons violates the international Convention. Experts are convinced that Russia is laying the groundwork for expanding its chemical operations, including recruiting new scientists and investing in development.