The FINANCIAL — Two Dutch intelligence agencies said on Friday that Russia is increasing its use of prohibited chemical weapons in Ukraine, including the World War I-era poison gas chloropicrin.
The Netherlands’ military intelligence and the security service, together with the German intelligence service, found that the use of prohibited chemical weapons by the Russian military had become “standardized and commonplace” in Ukraine.
According to the findings, the Russian military uses chloropicrin and riot control agent CS against sheltering Ukrainian soldiers, who are then forced out into the open and shot.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for more sanctions against Moscow and continued military support for Kyiv.
As head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection troops, Igor Kirillov – who has died in an explosion in Moscow – was accused by the West of overseeing the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine.
In Russia, he was viewed as a tireless patriot, fighting for the truth and exposing Western “crimes”.
Kirillov and an aide were killed by explosives planted in an electric scooter, according to Russian officials, which was blown up as he left the building he lived in on Ryazansky Prospekt in south-eastern Moscow.
In May the US State Department, in justifying the latest US sanctions against Russia, has indicated that Russian troops have used the banned chemical substance chloropicrin against the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He had become notorious for outlandish briefings at the Russian defence ministry which prompted the UK Foreign Office to label him as a “significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation”.
Kirillov was far more than just a mouthpiece, heading Russia’s Timoshenko Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Academy, before going on to lead the Russian army’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops in 2017.
The UK Foreign Office said that the force Kirillov commanded had deployed “barbaric chemical weapons in Ukraine”, highlighting what it said was the widespread use of riot control agents and “multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin”.
The U.K. sanctioned Kirillov, for deploying these chemical weapons. The statement emphasizes Russia’s violation of the CWC and describes the use of chemical weapons as a “flagrant disregard” for international law.
“Drones are dropping the chemical chloropicrin on trenches, driving away and then killing Ukrainian soldiers, “Minister Ruben Brekelmans said.
Brekelmans said with the use of large-scale chemical weapons, Russia was again showing “its evil face.”
Chloropicrin is reportedly used to dislodge Ukrainian soldiers from fortified positions, such as trenches or urban strongholds.
By incapacitating troops and forcing them to abandon cover, it creates opportunities for conventional attacks.
The effectiveness of this tactic depends on whether soldiers have access to gas masks or respiratory protection and can deploy them quickly. However, in prolonged or surprise engagements, such measures may not fully mitigate the threat.
Russia has signed up to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans the use of chloropicrin and CS as weapons.
The convention’s watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, or OPCW, has found several incidents in Ukraine involving CS, but the group hasn’t conducted a full investigation, which must be requested by the member states.
Chloropicrin is a lung irritant and choking agent that targets the respiratory tract when inhaled.
Its immediate effects on Ukrainian soldiers include: Severe irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, causing excessive tearing, coughing, and a burning sensation.
Difficulty breathing due to inflammation and constriction of the airways, which limits oxygen intake.
Choking and coughing fits, which can incapacitate soldiers during combat, where physical exertion is critical.
Pulmonary edema in severe cases, where fluid builds up in the lungs, further impairing breathing and potentially leading to respiratory failure if untreated.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been hospitalized due to chemical poisoning, according to Ukrinform news agency.
In particular, irritant chemicals CS and CN were used, which are used in ammunition to combat riots.
These symptoms can render soldiers unable to fight effectively, as the inability to breathe properly leads to physical weakness, disorientation, and increased vulnerability in battle.
Impact on Combat Performance and Russian strategy
The physical toll of chloropicrin exposure directly undermines a soldier’s ability to perform in combat: Reduced stamina: Limited oxygen intake weakens soldiers, making it difficult to run, carry gear, or engage in prolonged physical activity.
Impaired vision and coordination: Eye irritation can cause temporary blindness or blurred vision, hindering the ability to aim weapons or navigate the battlefield.
Distraction: The pain and discomfort from exposure divert focus from critical tasks, increasing the risk of errors or delayed reactions.
Even with protective gear like gas masks, soldiers may struggle to avoid exposure during sudden or widespread attacks, amplifying chloropicrin’s disruptive effects in combat.
Beyond physical harm, chloropicrin has a significant psychological impact: Fear and anxiety: The threat of chemical attacks heightens stress levels, forcing soldiers to remain vigilant for signs of exposure, which can erode mental resilience.
Demoralization: The use of banned chemical agents can sap morale, especially if soldiers feel inadequately equipped to counter such threats.
Unit disruption: If some soldiers are affected while others are not, it can sow confusion and break down teamwork as unaffected troops assist or evacuate their comrades.
These effects can lead to hesitation, reduced combat aggression, or reluctance to hold positions where chemical attacks are anticipated.
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