Since the beginning of the invasion of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine did not stop climbing. What has begun as a war in Ukrainian territory now opens the door for a much more alarming scenario: the use of prohibited chemical weapons.
According to Germany and Holland, Moscow would strengthen the use of chemical military agents against Ukrainian troops. This practice, which goes far beyond the fight against tanks or drones, can change the development of the conflict and reconfigure the Western reaction to what is already considered a global threat.
No tanks, no drones: what new weapons does Russia use?
German and Dutch intelligence services warned of the “generalized use” of the prohibited chemical weapons of Russia in Ukraine. Among them, the use of chloropopicrin, a suffocating agent released from drones to force the soldier to leave the trenches and become light white.
“The use of tear gas and chloropicrin by Russian troops has become ordinary practice and widespread,” warned the German Foreign Intelligence Service (BND) with MIVD and AIVD, Holland intelligence services.
Chloropicrina belongs to a group of so -called pulmonary agents and is prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CAQ) since 1997 and signed by Russia and Ukraine. This is a potentially fatal substance in closed and strongly annoying spaces.
What does this change mean for the Russian military strategy?
For Western intelligence services, it is not about isolated actions, but about deep changes in the Russian military strategy. “This is not a simple special retouching on the front line, but is part of a large program,” said Peter Rizink, the head of MIVD, who described the use of this weapon as an “almost standard operational procedure”.
The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Ruben Bremelmans also showed in this regard: “The main conclusion is that we can confirm that Russia enhances the use of chemical weapons.”
In an interview with Reuters, the braces warned that this intensification is a direct threat not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe and the rest of the world.
What effects cause chlorpicrin?
Chloropicrin was widely used during the First World War called “Cruise Verde” from the color with which shells loaded with this gas were marked.
“It can be fatal in high concentrations in closed spaces,” BND said. Your inhalation can cause a respiratory disorder; serious irritation in the eyes, mouth and throat; Vomit; diarrhea and even death.
What is the reaction of Russia to accusations?
Although Germany and Holland presented evidence of these attacks, Russia denies the accusations and claims that it is Ukraine who uses chemical weapons in front. The press secretary of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Podzhaova accused the nod of smuggling explosives with chloropicrina, although Ukraine denied it.
For its part, the organization of the ban on chemical weapons (OPAQ) showed that the initial complaints were “not founded”, although international pressure was growing.
Given the seriousness of the matter, from the European Union it is already evaluated to promote new sanctions. “We must additionally increase the pressure. This means the study of more sanctions and, in particular, not allowing them to participate in international organizations, such as the OPAQ Executive Council, ”Bremelmans said.
