On July 4, 2025, intelligence reports from the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States revealed a concerning escalation in Russia's use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. This includes the deployment of chloropicrin, a toxic gas from World War I, and riot control agents like CS gas. These actions represent a serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is a signatory.
The Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), along with Germany's Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), have documented the increased use of these chemical agents. Russian forces are using these substances to force Ukrainian troops out of fortified positions, making them vulnerable to conventional attacks. The European Union has responded by imposing sanctions on Russian entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons.
Ukrainian authorities have documented over 6,000 instances of Russian forces deploying chemical weapons since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging Russia to cease the use of prohibited chemical agents and adhere to its obligations under international law. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans has called for stronger international sanctions and continued support for Ukraine.