Russia launches more than 10,000 chemical attacks on Ukrainian troops: Evidence sent to The Hague
Photo: Russia uses chemical weapons on a massive scale against Ukrainian Armed Forces (Getty Images)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has documented over 10,000 instances of chemical weapons use by Russian forces against Ukrainian troops since the start of the full-scale invasion, the press service of SBU reports.
According to the investigation, Russian units systematically use aerosol grenades containing toxic agents such as CS and CN, as well as ampoules with chloropicrin.
The main goal is to flush Ukrainian soldiers out of their positions and expose them to enemy fire.
"The majority of these incidents have been recorded on the eastern front, as well as during enemy strikes on the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk region," the SBU noted.
How Russia attacks
Russian troops drop chemical munitions from FPV drones — the substances irritate the eyes and respiratory tracts of Ukrainian soldiers. Such actions violate international law, including the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention.
Violation of international law
The use of chemical weapons is prohibited by the 1993 UN Chemical Weapons Convention, which Russia has ratified. Nevertheless, the aggressor continues to systematically ignore these norms.
To document war crimes, the SBU has submitted physical evidence samples to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.
Laboratory analysis confirmed Russia's use of toxic substances.
In response, the EU Council imposed sanctions on Russian Armed Forces units responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons, including the troops of radiation, chemical, and biological protection, as well as the Ministry of Defense research institutes.
Investigation and accountability
As part of a criminal case under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crimes), the SBU is conducting a pre-trial investigation.
In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Head of Russia’s radiation, chemical, and biological protection troops, was formally charged in absentia. He is responsible for the mass use of chemical weapons.
The Security Service of Ukraine emphasizes that comprehensive efforts are underway to bring all those involved in these crimes to justice, including the military and political leadership of the aggressor state.
On July 17, the SBU announced charges against a Russian colonel who launched Iskander ballistic missile strikes on Odesa in April 2024. As the suspect is hiding from justice, the charges were filed in absentia.
Recently, Russian soldier Semen Solovov, who held several hundred civilians hostage during the occupation of the Chernihiv region, was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison.
