Dutch and German Intelligence Agencies Accuse Russia of Using Chemical Weapons

What Happened?

Dutch and German intelligence agencies released a report which found that Russia is using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. The Defense Minister for the Netherlands, Ruben Brekelmans, said ‘The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons.’

The Dutch report, confirmed by German intelligence, found that Russian use of chemical weapons in Ukraine has been ‘normalized, standardized, and widespread.’ One of the most common types of chemical weapons used by Russia, according to the report, was a banned choking agent which can be used to force ground troops out of trenches. 

Russia’s defense ministry did not respond to a request for comments on the Dutch and German accusations.

Why it Matters

Russia signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993, later ratifying the treaty in 1997. The treaty prohibits the production, stockpiling, or use of chemical weapons. If the Dutch and German intelligence agencies are correct, then Russia would be in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention and subject to sanctions or other penalties under international law.

Crypto's "Once Per Cycle" Wealth-Building Moment Is Here

We’ve entered the next phase of the crypto cycle—where smart capital moves early and retail follows late. With fundamentals stronger than ever and institutional adoption accelerating, the window to act is now. While others wait for certainty, the informed few are positioning for outsized gains.

Get my #1 Coin to Buy During the Dip guide—your edge in this cycle, for just $3.

Previously Russia has also accused Ukraine of using chemical weapons. The Organization 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 yet to publicly comment on the allegations by the report issued by Dutch and German intelligence agencies.

Because many chemical weapons such as choking agents are gases, they have specific tactical uses on the battlefield. The gases tend to settle into places like trenches, which then force soldiers taking cover to expose themselves to enemy fire. This is the same approach that was used in World War I, when gases were used to drive large numbers of soldiers out of the trenches so they could then be shot. 

Ukraine, along with the Netherlands and Germany, has accused Russia of using chemical weapons thousands of times since the 2022 invasion. The head of Dutch intelligence said, ‘This isn't just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is truly part of a large-scale program.’ The most commonly used agent, 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).

Chloropicrin 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.

How it Affects You

If the Dutch and German intelligence reports are true, it would be the largest and most widespread use of chemical weapons since World War I. It would also mean combatants exposed to chemical weapons will likely suffer prolonged health problems even after the war is over.