According to the German secret service BND and the two Dutch secret service agencies MIVD and AIVD, Russia is increasing its use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The German government confirmed reports of the use of chloropicrin, a chemical warfare agent that damages the lungs. In high concentrations in closed spaces, chloropicrin, which was also used during World War I, can have deadly consequences.
Russia's use of tear gas and other chemical weapons in the war in Ukraine constitutes a serious violation of the agreement banning the use of chemical weapons, said German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius.
Danger also for the rest of Europe and the world
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans informed Parliament in The Hague about intelligence information that Russia is using chemical weapons systematically and on a large scale.
"This is a dangerous, completely unacceptable development and shows once again the brutality of the aggressor that Ukraine is facing," he said. Russia's use of chemical weapons in conflicts is also a danger to "the rest of Europe and the world," Brekelmans said.
The UK and the US also accused Russia last year of using the chemical weapon chloropicrin against Ukrainian soldiers.
Russia invests heavily in its chemical weapons program
According to observations by the BND, MIVD and AIVD, the Russian leadership and its radiological, chemical and biological defense forces actively support and encourage the use of banned chemical weapons. This is likely to continue to pose a threat.
In addition, Russia is investing heavily in its chemical weapons program. Research in this field is expanding and new scientists are being recruited.
The Ukrainian Defense Minister stated that Russia has so far used chemical weapons over 9,000 times against Ukrainian troops. According to Ukraine, at least three deaths can be directly attributed to the effects of chemical weapons./ DW (A2 Televizion)
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