Russian use of chemical weapons against Ukraine ‘widespread’, Dutch defence minister says
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Russia expanding Ukraine chemical weapons use, allege European spy agencies
Russia denies using the weapons, as does Ukraine; International body says previous accusations not “substantiated” Russia has intensified its use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers in a serious violation of international law, the Dutch and German intelligence agencies have said. They said there was extensive evidence that Moscow’s forces were using banned products, including the choking agent chloropicrin. “It is normalised and widespread. Chloropicrin is dropped by drones to drive soldiers out of trenches, and then kill them,” Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in a post on X. There were “thousands of instances” of Russian chemical weapons use by Russia, he said. Both countries confirmed that they had carried out their latest prisoner exchange, with neither side giving details about the number of soldiers involved. The swap followed an agreement made in the Turkish capital, Istanbul, in June. On the diplomatic front, United States President Donald Trump said he had made no progress expressing his “appointment”, during his phone call on Thursday with his Russian counterpart.
Russia has intensified its use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers in a serious violation of international law, the Dutch and German intelligence agencies have said.
On Friday, they said there was extensive evidence that Moscow’s forces were using banned products, including the choking agent chloropicrin.
Russia denies using the prohibited weapons, as does Ukraine. On Wednesday, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, claimed that the Federal Security Service found a cache of Ukrainian weapons in the east of the country containing chloropicrin.
“It is normalised and widespread. Chloropicrin is dropped by drones to drive soldiers out of trenches, and then kill them,” Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in a post on X, referring to Russia’s purported use.
Brekelmans, who is now calling for tougher sanctions against Russia, described the use of chemical weapons as “horrible and unacceptable”.
Peter Reesink, the head of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), confirmed that the findings were based on its own investigations. There were “thousands of instances” of chemical weapons use by Russia, he said.
“This isn’t just some ad hoc tinkering at the front line; it is truly part of a large-scale programme. And that is, of course, also concerning because if we don’t clarify and publicise what Russia is doing, it’s highly likely these trends will continue,” Reesink added.
Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency also corroborated the MIVD’s conclusions.
Advertisement
The Russian army was using tear gas as well as “the more dangerous chemical chloropicrin, which can be lethal in high concentrations in enclosed spaces” in Ukraine, the BND said in a statement.
“This represents a more serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the use of this lung warfare agent under all circumstances,” it noted.
Speaking to Reuters about the Dutch and German intelligence reports, Brekelmans, the Dutch defence minister, said that at least three Ukrainian deaths had been linked to Russian chemical weapons, with more than 2,500 people reporting symptoms related to the banned products.
More needed to be done to deter Russia from deploying such weapons, he suggested.
“We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW (the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons),” Brekelmans said.
The OPCW said last year that Russian and Ukrainian accusations that the other side was using banned weapons were “insufficiently substantiated”.
The disarmament agency, which is based in The Hague and has 193 member states, has not conducted a full investigation, something which can only happen at the request of member states.
Fighting grinds on
The allegations of increased Russian chemical weapons use came as Ukraine reported the largest ever Russian drone and missile attack on the country.
A Ukrainian air force official told local media it is the biggest of the war so far, with Moscow firing 539 drones and 11 missiles overnight.
The attacks on Kyiv injured at least 23 people, damaging railway infrastructure and setting buildings and cars on fire, authorities said.
A Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Rostov region killed at least one woman and forced the evacuation of dozens of people from their homes, the acting governor said.
In the meantime, on Friday, both countries confirmed that they had carried out their latest prisoner exchange, with neither side giving details about the number of soldiers involved.
The swap followed an agreement made in the Turkish capital, Istanbul, in June.
On the diplomatic front, United States President Donald Trump said he had made no progress, expressing his “disappointment”, during his phone call on Thursday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who reportedly reiterated he would stop his invasion only if the conflict’s “root causes” were tackled.
Advertisement
Trump also said he was planning to discuss the conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Zelenskyy said he hoped to speak with Trump about the supply of US weapons to Ukraine.
The US said on Tuesday that it was halting some weapons deliveries to Kyiv that were promised under the Biden administration, as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine.
The Biden administration-era pledges, which included various munitions to bolster Ukraine’s defences, are now under review as the Pentagon reassesses current inventory levels. The move could signal a shift in priorities under Trump, who has pressed for a more restrained global military posture.
Missiles for Patriot air defence systems and Hellfire missiles are among weapons being held back, according to US media.
Putin and Trump did not discuss the US decision to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine, Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
Is Russia using chemical weapons in Ukraine? Dutch defence minister alleges ‘widespread’ use of banned munitions
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans has called for intensified sanctions against Russia. Dutch and German intelligence agencies alleged that they have gathered evidence on the use of banned weapons. U.S. accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a toxic chemical compound that was first used by Germany during World War I. Meanwhile, Ukraine has alleged that Russia used chemical weapons in thousands of instances. Moscow has accused Kyiv of doing so, but Ukraine has denied the accusations. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said that initial accusations made by both nations were “insufficiently substantiated” in May.
“The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons,” Brekelmans told Reuters. “This intensification is concerning because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now, where Russia’s use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more normalised, standardised, and widespread.”
Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency has confirmed the findings in a statement. The head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIVD), Peter Reesink, said the conclusions are based on “our own independent intelligence, so we have observed it ourselves based on our own investigations.” The findings were presented in a letter to the Dutch parliament on Friday.
Last year in May, the United States accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a toxic chemical compound that was first used by Germany during World War I. Meanwhile, Ukraine has alleged that Russia used chemical weapons in thousands of instances. Denying the use of munitions, Moscow has accused Kyiv of doing so.
The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday (Jul 2) said that the Federal Security Service found a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices containing chloropicrin in the eastern side of the country. However, Ukraine has denied the accusations.
Last year, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said that initial accusations made by both nations were “insufficiently substantiated”.
The Dutch defence minister said that at least three Ukrainian deaths have been linked to chemical weapons use, while over 2,500 people wounded on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms to health authorities. The increased use of chemical weapons by Russia is not only a threat to Ukraine but other nations as well, Brekelmans added.
“We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW,” he said.
‘A large-scale program’
Reesink mentioned “thousands of instances” of chemical weapons use by Russia and also cited a Ukrainian figure of 9,000. “This isn’t just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is truly part of a large-scale program. And that is, of course, also concerning because if we don’t clarify and publicise what Russia is doing, it’s highly likely these trends will continue,” Reesink said. He called the use of banned weapons “almost standing operating procedure.”
Russian use of chemical weapons against Ukraine ‘widespread’, Dutch defence minister says
Dutch military intelligence says Russia uses banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Evidence points to ‘large-scale program’ of producing and using choking agent, officials say. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for tougher sanctions against Moscow. At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, Brekelman said. More than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms. The United States first accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents and first used by Germany during World War One, in May last year. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said last year that initial accusations levelled by both countries at each other were “insufficiently substantiated” The OPCW has not been asked to conduct a full investigation, which must be initiated by member states. The Dutch military intelligence agency said the conclusions followed “our own independent intelligence, so we have observed it ourselves based on our own investigations”
Item 1 of 3 Servicemen of the 148th Separate Artillery Zhytomyr Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine prepare to fire a M777 Howitzer towards Russian troops at a position in the front line, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, February 8, 2025. REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov/File Photo
Summary Dutch military intelligence says Russia uses banned chemical weapons in Ukraine
Evidence points to ‘large-scale program’ of producing and using choking agent, officials say
Dutch defence minister urges tougher sanctions
Chemical weapons agency not yet asked to investigate
Russia has denied similar accusations in the past
THE HAGUE, July 4 (Reuters) – Dutch and German intelligence agencies have gathered evidence of widespread Russian use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including dropping a choking agent from drones to drive soldiers out of trenches so they can be shot, they said on Friday.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for tougher sanctions against Moscow.
Sign up here.
“The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons,” he told Reuters.
“This intensification is concerning because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now, where Russia’s use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more normalized, standardized, and widespread.”
Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency confirmed the findings, saying in a statement that it had obtained the evidence alongside its Dutch counterparts. Reuters was first to report on the intelligence.
The head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIVD), Peter Reesink, said the conclusions followed “our own independent intelligence, so we have observed it ourselves based on our own investigations.”
Reuters has not been able to independently verify the use of banned chemical substances by either side in the Ukraine war.
The United States first accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents and first used by Germany during World War One, in May last year.
Ukraine alleges thousands of instances of Russian chemical weapons use.
Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. Russia has denied using illegal munitions and it has accused Ukraine of doing so.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said on Wednesday that the Federal Security Service discovered a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices in the east of the country containing chloropicrin.
Ukraine has consistently denied such accusations.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said last year that initial accusations levelled by both countries at each other were “insufficiently substantiated”.
It has not been asked to conduct a full investigation, which must be initiated by member states.
At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, Brekelmans said, while more than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms to Ukrainian health authorities.
Increased use of chemical weapons by Russia poses a threat not only to Ukraine but to other countries, Brekelmans added.
“We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW,” he said.
Reesink spoke of “thousands of instances” of chemical weapons use, while also citing a Ukrainian figure of 9,000.
Rotating two-year seats on the OPCW council will be up for negotiation in the coming months.
The intelligence findings were presented in a letter to the Dutch parliament on Friday.
LARGE-SCALE PROGRAM
Russia is a member of the OPCW and, like the United States, has destroyed its declared chemical weapons stockpiles.
Increased sanctions could happen in conjunction with the European Commission, which has proposed listing 15 additional new entities and individuals to its sanctions framework, including for suspected use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
The Dutch military and general intelligence agencies, working with foreign partners, say they have uncovered concrete evidence of intensified Russian chemical weapons production.
This includes heightened research capabilities and the recruitment of scientists for chemical weapons development, Reesink said. He added that Russian officials have given instructions to soldiers on the use of poisonous warfare agents.
“This isn’t just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is truly part of a large-scale program. And that is, of course, also concerning because if we don’t clarify and publicize what Russia is doing, it’s highly likely these trends will continue,” Reesink said.
He called the use of chemical weapons by Russian armed forces “almost standing operating procedure.”
“We specifically linked the use of chloropicrin to improvised munitions, such as filled light bulbs and empty bottles that are hung from a drone. When it comes to teargas, we see that they are also misusing and converting existing munitions to act as the carrier for the gas,” he said.
Chloropicrin is listed as a banned choking agent by OPCW, which was created to implement and monitor compliance with the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
It can cause severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. If ingested, it can cause burns in the mouth and stomach, nausea and vomiting, as well as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Additional reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Editing by Mike Collett-White and William Maclean
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
Dutch Intelligence Uncovers Widespread Russian Use Of Chemical Weapons In Ukraine
Russia has denied using chemical weapons and it has accused Ukraine of doing so. “This intensification is concerning because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now, where Russia’s use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more normalised, standardised, and widespread” “We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW,” he said. � “It has not been asked to conduct a full investigation, which must be initiated by member states.”“We have not been able to independently verify the use of banned chemical weapons by either side in the Ukraine war,’ he said in an interview. ” ‘This isn’t just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is, of course, also concerning to publicize what is going on.’ ”
Dutch intelligence agencies have obtained evidence of widespread Russian use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including incidents where choking agents were dropped from drones to force soldiers out of trenches, making them vulnerable to gunfire, the Netherlands’ defence minister and military intelligence chief said.
Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for tougher sanctions against Moscow.
“The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons,” he said in an interview.
“This intensification is concerning because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now, where Russia’s use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more normalised, standardised, and widespread.”
Chloropicrin
The Dutch intelligence findings on alleged Russian use of chloropicrin, a banned warfare agent first used by Germany during World War One, have not previously been reported.
The head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIVD), Peter Reesink, said the conclusions followed “our own independent intelligence, so we have observed it ourselves based on our own investigations.”
Reuters has not been able to independently verify the use of banned chemical substances by either side in the Ukraine war.
The United States first accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents, in May last year.
Ukraine alleges thousands of instances of Russian chemical weapons use.
Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. Russia has denied using illegal munitions and it has accused Ukraine of doing so.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said on Wednesday that the Federal Security Service discovered a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices in the east of the country containing chloropicrin.
Ukraine has consistently denied such accusations.
‘Insufficiently Substantiated’
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said last year that initial accusations levelled by both countries at each other were “insufficiently substantiated”.
It has not been asked to conduct a full investigation, which must be initiated by member states.
At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, Brekelmans said, while more than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms to Ukrainian health authorities.
Increased use of chemical weapons by Russia poses a threat not only to Ukraine but to other countries, Brekelmans added.
“We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW,” he said.
Reesink spoke of “thousands of instances” of chemical weapons use, while also citing a Ukrainian figure of 9,000.
Rotating two-year seats on the OPCW council will be up for negotiation in the coming months.
The intelligence findings were presented in a letter to the Dutch parliament on Friday.
Large-Scale Programme
Russia is a member of the OPCW and, like the United States, has destroyed its declared chemical weapons stockpiles.
Increased sanctions could happen in conjunction with the European Commission, which has proposed listing 15 additional new entities and individuals to its sanctions framework, including for suspected use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
The Dutch military and general intelligence agencies, working with foreign partners, say they have uncovered concrete evidence of intensified Russian chemical weapons production.
This includes heightened research capabilities and the recruitment of scientists for chemical weapons development, Reesink said. He added that Russian officials have given instructions to soldiers on the use of poisonous warfare agents.
“This isn’t just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is truly part of a large-scale program. And that is, of course, also concerning because if we don’t clarify and publicize what Russia is doing, it’s highly likely these trends will continue,” Reesink said.
He called the use of chemical weapons by Russian armed forces “almost standing operating procedure.”
“We specifically linked the use of chloropicrin to improvised munitions, such as filled light bulbs and empty bottles that are hung from a drone. When it comes to teargas, we see that they are also misusing and converting existing munitions to act as the carrier for the gas,” he said.
Chloropicrin is listed as a banned choking agent by OPCW, which was created to implement and monitor compliance with the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
It can cause severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. If ingested, it can cause burns in the mouth and stomach, nausea and vomiting, as well as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Russian use of chemical weapons in Ukraine ‘widespread and growing’ European intelligence warns
Russia accused of ‘widespread’ use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. German and Dutch intelligence agencies say Moscow has expanded its use of chemical weapons on the battlefield, including the use of potentially-lethal chemical choking agent chloropicrin. Chemical is dropped from Russian drones to force soldiers out of trenches so they can be shot. Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans has called for tougher sanctions for Moscow. Moscow has repeatedly been accused by Western countries of using toxic chemical substances in foreign countries, including multiple suspected poisonings in the UK. The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, 2018, was a botched attempt to assassinate Sergei, a former Russian military officer and double agent for the Novichok nerve agent. The British government has accused Russia of attempting to murder them with double poisoning. The Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday that its security service discovered a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices in the east of the country.
While it was already accused of using tear gas in its three-year war in Ukraine, German and Dutch intelligence agencies say Moscow has expanded its use of chemical weapons on the battlefield, including the use of potentially-lethal chemical choking agent chloropicrin.
Dutch intelligence said the chemical is dropped from Russian drones to force soldiers out of trenches so they can be shot, as Russia looks to continue making gains on the battlefield despite international efforts towards peace.
The chemical, which was widely used during World War One, can cause irritation of the lungs, eyes and skin and can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea.
“The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons,” Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans told Reuters, as he called for tougher sanctions for Moscow.
“This intensification is concerning because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now, where Russia’s use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more normalized, standardized, and widespread.”
Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency said Russia has been using not only tear gas but also “the more dangerous chemical chloropicrin, which can be lethal in high concentrations in enclosed spaces”. This is a more serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, it added.
European intelligence officials fear that Russia’s chemical weapons use is part of a large-scale intensification of chemical weapons production, and that Russian officials are issuing direct instructions to soldiers to use the poisonous warfare agents.
Russian chemical weapons use is “truly part of a large scale programme” rather than “some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline”, said Peter Reesink, the head of the Dutch military intelligence agency (MIVD).
The allegations come as Ukraine continues to face heavy air bombardment by Russian forces (REUTERS)
The United States first accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents, in May last year.
Kyiv has alleged thousands of instances of chemical weapons usage by Russian forces. The head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIVD), Peter Reesink, noted “thousands of instances” of chemical weapons use, while also citing a Ukrainian figure of 9,000.
At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, Mr Brekelmans said, while more than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms to Ukrainian health authorities.
Moscow denies this, and has accused Ukraine itself of using such weapons. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that its security service discovered a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices in the east of the country containing chloropicrin. Kyiv has consistently denied such allegations.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said last year that initial accusations levelled by both countries at each other were “insufficiently substantiated”.
Zakharova claimed Russian security services found a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices containing chemical weapons (Russian Foreign Ministry)
Mr Brekelmans has now called on Western countries to “increase the pressure” on Russia including by “looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW”.
There have been previous allegations of Russian use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The US said in May 2024 that Russia had used the chloropicrin agent, adding that it was not an isolated incident. Washington’s state department also said Moscow’s forces had used tear gas.
Moscow has repeatedly been accused by Western countries of using toxic chemical substances in foreign countries, including multiple suspected poisonings in the UK.
The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, 2018, was a botched attempt to assassinate Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer and double agent for the British intelligence agencies. The Novichok nerve agent was used in their poisoning, but they survived after weeks in intensive care in hospital. The British government accused Russia of attempted murder.
Twelve years earlier, former Russian Federal Security Service officer Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with Polonium-210 after fleeing Russia, criticising its government and working with foreign intelligence agencies.