Russian officials have accused Ukraine of gearing up for a chemical weapons attack, allegedly with the backing of the US-led NATO military alliance. This accusation has set off alarm bells on the international stage, with fears growing over the potential for chemical warfare or terrorism in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
At the same time, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Russian military units, citing their involvement in the use of chemical weapons on the Ukrainian battlefield. This move by the UK has further raised the stakes, placing a spotlight on the ongoing violations of international law regarding chemical warfare in the region.
Russian officials have been vocal about their accusations against Ukraine, claiming that Kyiv is preparing to launch chemical weapons attacks with direct assistance from NATO. On Wednesday, the Russian Embassy in Washington urged the United States to cease its support for what it called Ukrainian “provocations.”
In a statement to Newsweek, the embassy warned the U.S. administration to take seriously the risks of what it termed Ukrainian “chemical terrorism.”
“We call on Washington to stop cynically indulging in Kyiv’s provocations for the sake of an illusory desire to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. Instead of patronizing the Ukrainian puppets who are in agony, the American administration should critically consider what is happening and the possible risks emanating from Ukrainian ‘chemical terrorism,’” the embassy declared.
These allegations were reinforced by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who claimed that Ukrainian forces have been systematically using toxic chemicals against Russian troops and civilians. Zakharova cited reports from Russian authorities that between July and September 2024, NATO countries had supplied Ukraine with advanced equipment for detecting and recording toxic substances, including detectors and gas analyzers.
According to Russian officials, these supplies are evidence of NATO’s involvement in Ukraine’s alleged preparation for chemical attacks. They also pointed to claims that Ukrainian forces had already used a range of toxic chemicals, including chlorine, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and sulfuric acid, targeting both Russian soldiers and civilians. These accusations are further supported by Russia’s assertion that Ukraine’s security forces have received specialized training—both domestically and at NATO centers—in fabricating evidence, a tactic Moscow claims was previously used in other international incidents such as the Skripal poisoning and the alleged poisoning of Alexey Navalny.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has also accused the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Technical Secretariat of complicity in assisting Ukraine in fabricating evidence of chemical weapons use. Moscow claims that the OPCW, with the political backing of Washington, Berlin, London, and Paris, is involved in an orchestrated campaign to falsely implicate Russia in the violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
According to Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW, Vladimir Tarabrin, Moscow has submitted evidence to the international body, documenting Ukraine’s alleged chemical attacks. Tarabrin further expressed concern over intelligence suggesting that “Ukraine is preparing large-scale provocations with the use of toxic chemicals.”
These allegations come amid a backdrop of intensifying accusations from both sides in the conflict, with Ukraine and its NATO allies leveling similar charges against Russian forces.
In a significant development, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Russian military units and individuals, citing their involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. Among those targeted is Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defence troops, led by Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who now faces an assets freeze and travel ban. The UK Foreign Office referred to Kirillov as a “significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation.”
In addition to Kirillov, two Russian Defence Ministry scientific laboratories were also sanctioned for their alleged role in chemical warfare activities. The sanctions represent a firm stance by the UK against the use of chemical weapons, underscoring the country’s commitment to holding Russia accountable for what it describes as gross violations of international law.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy was unequivocal in his condemnation, stating that Britain would not stand idly by while “Putin and his mafia state” continue to violate the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international laws. Lammy’s remarks reflect growing international frustration with the escalating use of banned substances in the Ukraine conflict.
The United States has similarly accused Russian forces of employing hazardous chemicals in the Ukraine war, including the use of “riot control agents” such as tear gas and chloropicrin—a toxic choking agent first used during World War I. According to US reports, Russia has used chloropicrin to dislodge entrenched Ukrainian forces from fortified positions. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have noted that exposure to chloropicrin can cause severe symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
In May 2024, the US government accused Russia of using chemical weapons as a method of warfare in Ukraine, an act that would constitute a violation of international law prohibiting the use of such substances. The Kremlin dismissed these accusations as baseless and part of a broader Western disinformation campaign designed to undermine Russia’s military operations.
At the heart of the international response to these allegations is the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), a global arms control treaty that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. The treaty, which came into effect in 1997, defines chemical weapons as weapons of mass destruction and enforces strict limitations on the use of any chemical substances in warfare.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based in The Hague, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the CWC. The OPCW conducts inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with the treaty and has been a key player in investigating alleged chemical weapons use in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Currently, 193 states are parties to the CWC. However, a handful of countries, including Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan, remain outside the treaty, complicating efforts to establish a global norm against the use of chemical weapons.
The allegations of chemical weapons use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have brought to the forefront fears of chemical terrorism in the region. While both Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of engaging in chemical warfare or preparing for chemical attacks, these claims have significant implications for global security.
Chemical terrorism, typically perpetrated by non-state actors, involves the use of toxic chemicals to inflict harm, cause death, or disrupt critical infrastructure for political, religious, or ideological motives. With the proliferation of chemical industries and the widespread availability of chemical precursors, there is a real risk that chemical agents could be employed in attacks targeting civilians, military personnel, or infrastructure.
The international community faces a daunting challenge in preventing the use of chemical weapons and ensuring that both state and non-state actors comply with international laws designed to prevent chemical warfare. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, in particular, has complicated this effort, as both sides accuse the other of engaging in illegal activities while alleging fabricated evidence.
The ongoing accusations of chemical weapons use in the Russia-Ukraine war have highlighted the critical need for impartial investigations and accountability. While both Russia and Ukraine have levied serious charges against each other, it remains to be seen whether the international community, including bodies like the OPCW, will be able to effectively mediate the situation and ensure compliance with international treaties like the CWC.
As the conflict drags on, the specter of chemical warfare continues to loom over the battlefield, threatening not only the immediate safety of combatants and civilians but also the broader international security framework. The need for stringent oversight and diplomatic efforts to prevent the use of chemical weapons has never been more urgent, as the world watches anxiously to see how this dangerous chapter of the war unfolds.
