Russia Alleged for Employing Chemical Weapons by Intelligence Agencies

Russia Alleged for Employing Chemical Weapons by Intelligence Agencies

In a shocking development, Russian forces have significantly escalated their use of chemical weapons in the ongoing war against Ukraine, according to joint reports by Dutch and German intelligence agencies. The latest incident, reported on July 4, 2025, involves the deployment of chloropicrin, a banned chemical agent that can be lethal in high concentrations in enclosed spaces.

This alarming intensification surpasses the previously known use of tear gas, with chloropicrin causing severe symptoms such as coughing, vomiting, choking, and potentially death. The chemical weapons are primarily delivered via drones dropping gas grenades onto Ukrainian trenches, forcing troops into the open and making them vulnerable to attacks.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans described this as a systematic and large-scale use of chemical weapons, which violates the Chemical Weapons Convention and signals a disturbing normalization of chemical warfare tactics by Russia in Ukraine. At least three Ukrainian deaths and over 2,500 soldiers showing symptoms from chemical exposure have been reported. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has documented more than 9,000 instances of chemical weapons use by Russia since the conflict began in February 2022.

The Netherlands Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and Germany’s Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) have urged stronger international sanctions against Russia and its exclusion from global chemical weapons oversight bodies, warning that this trend poses a growing threat and reflects a coordinated Russian chemical weapons program rather than isolated incidents.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force reported 550 attacks with drones, rockets, and cruise missiles across the country since Thursday evening. There were also reports of damage to residential buildings, educational and medical facilities, and transport infrastructure. The exchange of prisoners at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, agreed upon during talks in Istanbul, was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Zelenskyy has hinted at new interceptor drones and ordered their production in response to the intensified attacks. The Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant Saporischschja has lost its external power supply, causing it to be supplied with emergency diesel generators. This marks the ninth time during the war and the first time since late 2023 that the plant has been disconnected from the grid.

The heaviest attacks since the start of the war were reported in Kyiv and its surroundings on July 4, 2025. Witnesses reported a series of explosions and continuous air defense deployment; people were fleeing to shelters. The number of injured has risen to 23, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

The use of chloropicrin and tear gas by Russian troops violates the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits their use under all circumstances. The German government is considering acquiring Patriot systems or other air defense weapons in the US to supply to Ukraine. As the crisis continues to escalate, the international community is urging Russia to cease its use of chemical weapons and return to diplomatic negotiations.

1. The Chemical Weapons Convention, breached by Russia's actions, prohibits the use of chloropicrin and tear gas under any circumstances.
2. The Dutch Defense Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, terms the use of chemical weapons by Russia as systematic and large-scale, violating international law.
3. The Netherlands Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and Germany’s Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) have warned of a growing threat due to Russia's chemical weapons program.
4. Chloropicrin, a banned chemical, can cause severe symptoms like coughing, vomiting, choking, and potentially death in high concentrations.
5. At least three Ukrainian deaths and over 2,500 soldiers showing symptoms from chemical exposure have been reported.
6. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has documented more than 9,000 instances of chemical weapons use by Russia since the conflict began in February 2022.
7. Ukrainian troops are forced into the open due to drones dropping gas grenades containing chloropicrin, making them vulnerable to attacks.
8. The Netherlands and Germany have advocated for stronger international sanctions against Russia and its exclusion from global chemical weapons oversight bodies.
9. The latest incident of chemical weapons use by Russia was reported on July 4, 2025.
10. The NL military intelligence and security service and Germany’s Bundesnachrichtendienst believe this trend poses a coordinated Russian chemical weapons program rather than isolated incidents.
11. Kyiv and its surroundings experienced the heaviest attacks since the start of the war on July 4, 2025.
12. Witnesses in Kyiv reported a series of explosions and continuous air defense deployment, causing people to flee to shelters.
13. The number of injured in Kyiv has risen to 23, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
14. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted at new interceptor drones in response to the intensified attacks.
15. The Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant Saporischschja has lost its external power supply, causing it to be supplied with emergency diesel generators.
16. This marks the ninth time during the war and the first time since late 2023 that the plant has been disconnected from the grid.
17. There were also reports of damage to residential buildings, educational and medical facilities, and transport infrastructure across Ukraine.
18. The exchange of prisoners at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, agreed upon during talks in Istanbul, was confirmed by President Zelensky.
19. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in 550 attacks with drones, rockets, and cruise missiles since Thursday evening.
20. The crisis is urging the international community to pressure Russia to cease its use of chemical weapons and return to diplomatic negotiations.
21. The German government is considering acquiring Patriot systems or other air defense weapons in the US to supply to Ukraine.
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