The allies fear the possibility of Russia using chemical weapons in Ukraine.
Russians have used dangerous chemical substances against Ukrainian forces more than 9,000 times since the beginning of the full-scale war, raising concerns about the risk of weapons of mass destruction usage.
According to Ukrainian military data, a significant number of uses—6,540—occurred just last year. Russia used grenades filled with CS and CN gases, which are used for riot control, as well as chloropicrin, known since World War I. These actions violate the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention and the 1925 Geneva Protocol, confirmed by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which found toxic substances in samples from affected regions.
Ukraine’s Western allies are concerned that Russia’s actions may not be limited to known cases. Despite Moscow’s 2017 declaration of destroying its chemical weapons stockpile, Western intelligence suspects it was not fully completed. Concerns increased after the use of the nerve agent “Novichok” against Sergei Skripal and the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. The latter is imprisoned on politically motivated charges, and his recent death has aroused suspicions from his widow about a new use of a nerve agent.
These events are supported by findings from the Bellingcat research group about the possible continuation of Russia’s “Novichok” development program under the guise of medical and industrial research. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a chemical weapons expert, believes the program still exists, which is a serious cause for concern.
Russians regularly use gas to force Ukrainian soldiers out of shelters, making them easy targets. In response, the United Kingdom has provided a significant number of gas masks to protect the troops. Recent attempts by Russian propaganda to accuse Ukraine of preparing for chemical attacks are perceived as disinformation.
