Netherlands collects evidence of Russia's "widespread use of chemical weapons on the front line"

Dutch intelligence services have gathered evidence that Russia is widely using banned chemical weapons on the frontline in Ukraine, including the substance chloropicrin. This was reported to Reuters by Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans and the head of the Dutch military intelligence service (MIVD) Peter Rizink.

The Russians are dropping a choking agent from drones to lure soldiers out of their trenches and eliminate them, Brekelmans said. He insists on strengthening sanctions against Moscow.

"This is worrisome because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now: Russia's use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more and more normalized, standardized and widespread," the head of the Ministry of Defense said .

Chloropicrin is a banned substance first used by Germany during World War I. According to Rizin, the Netherlands' conclusions about its use are based on independent intelligence, its own observations and investigations.

According to the head of the Dutch Ministry of Defense, at least three deaths of soldiers on the front line were caused by the use of chemical weapons. And more than 2,500 soldiers have complained of symptoms related to the use of chemical weapons.

Russia's widespread use of banned weapons at the front is a threat not only to Ukraine but also to other countries.

"We must increase the pressure even more. This means considering additional sanctions and, in particular, preventing Russia from participating in international bodies such as the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons," he said .

Dutch intelligence chief speaks of "thousands of cases" of chemical weapons use, but refers to Ukraine's 9,000 figure.

According to him, the intelligence deliberately linked the use of chloropicrin to Russians' homemade ammunition suspended from drones. Russia is also using tear gas at the front for other purposes – it is recycling existing ammunition to use it as a gas carrier.

"It's not just some spontaneous actions on the front lines; it's really part of a larger program. And that, of course, is also a concern, because if we don't clarify and expose Russia's actions, it's likely that these trends will continue," Rizink said .

• The military confirmed that Russia is attacking with CS chemical substance. This is a chemical compound used as a tear gas.
• On May 20, the EU imposed sanctions against Russia for the first time for using chemical weapons in Ukraine.
• The General Staff reported that in May Russia used chemical weapons against Ukraine almost 900 times. Most often, the enemy drops poison grenades from drones.