Ukraine has presented evidence to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, accusing Russia of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) through the use of chemical agents in its war against Ukraine.
During the 108th meeting of the OPCW Executive Council on March 4-5, Ukrainian officials detailed alleged systematic violations by Russia. Andrii Kasyanov, Deputy Director of the International Security Department at Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, reported a significant increase in incidents involving chemical agents, including riot control substances.
“This grossly violates Article 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention,” the ministry stated, citing data from Ukraine’s Defense Ministry that recorded over 6,900 instances of chemical munitions use between February 2023 and February 2025. In just one month, from December 24, 2024, to January 24, 2025, 844 such cases were documented, with more than 2,100 servicemembers seeking medical treatment for symptoms of chemical exposure, including three fatalities.
Ukraine also referenced the OPCW’s second investigative report, which confirmed that Russian RG-Vo gas grenades, found in Ukrainian territory, contained CS gas, a chemical used in riot control. The grenades were identified as being manufactured in Russia, specifically at the Russian Scientific Center for Applied Chemistry and the Scientific and Applied Institute of Applied Chemistry.
Kasyanov urged continued diplomatic efforts to isolate Russia within the OPCW and prevent it from securing a seat on the organization’s Executive Board for a third consecutive year.
The Ukrainian delegation also announced its renewed candidacy for membership in the Executive Council for the 2026-2028 term, emphasizing the country’s leadership in non-proliferation efforts.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stressed that violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, which have no statute of limitations. It called on the international community to take action to hold Russia accountable.
In recent months, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly reported Russian use of chemical agents on the battlefield. In January, the General Staff stated that Russian forces had continued deploying munitions containing hazardous substances, with over 400 attacks recorded in December alone.
The Security Service of Ukraine has also placed a Russian general under suspicion in absentia for his alleged role in ordering chemical weapon use against Ukrainian forces.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine may soon face a critical shortage of Patriot missiles, with its stockpile potentially running out within weeks following the suspension of U.S. military aid.
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