Ukraine has called on the international chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague to launch a probe into Russia’s alleged use of toxic munitions against Ukrainian forces. Kyiv’s July 8 appeal to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) comes amid increasing international alarm over reports of escalating Russian chemical weapons attacks in Ukraine.
The United Kingdom has recently sanctioned Russian individuals and an organization for involvement in the transfer and use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The new sanctions came shortly after German and Dutch intelligence services warned of Russia’s widespread use of banned chemical weapons on the Ukrainian battlefield.
These accusations are not new. The US first accused Russia of utilizing chloropicrin, a banned anti-riot agent first used by Germany during World War One, more than a year ago. However, with no significant costs imposed on the Kremlin in relation to these charges, it appears that Russia continues to expand the use of chemical weapons against Ukraine.
Dutch and German intelligence agencies claim to have evidence that Russia is increasingly using chemical weapons in a “widespread and standardized” way in Ukraine. Ukrainian military officials say that at least three Ukrainian soldiers have died in connection with Russian chemical weapon use, with more than 2,500 injured troops displaying symptoms consistent with exposure to chemical weapons.
Voice of Ukraine 