By Anthony Deutsch
The Hague (Reuters) – Dutch and German intelligence agencies have gathered evidence in Ukraine about the widespread use of chemical weapons that are prohibited, including dropping a chois agent from the drone and deporting soldiers so they can be shot so they can be shot.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for tougher sanctions on Moscow.
“The main conclusion is that we can confirm that Russia is stepping up its use of chemical weapons,” he told Reuters.
“This reinforcement is worrying because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years, in which Russia’s use of chemical weapons has become increasingly normal, standardized and broad.”
Foreign intelligence agencies in Germany’s borders confirmed the discovery and said in a statement that it had obtained evidence along with its Dutch counterparts. Reuters reported intelligence for the first time.
Peter Reesink, head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIVD), said the conclusion follows “our own independent intelligence, so we observed this ourselves based on our own investigation.”
Reuters cannot independently verify the use of banned chemicals on either side of the Ukrainian war.
The United States first accused Russia of using clopidopropyl protein, a compound that is more toxic than a riot drug, and was first used in Germany during World War I last May.
Ukraine accused thousands of examples of using Russian chemical weapons.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this article. Russia denies the use of illegal ammunition and accuses Ukraine of doing so.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that the Federal Security Agency found explosive devices containing chlorpropion in Ukrainian explosive devices in the eastern part of the country.
Ukraine has been denying such allegations.
The Hague Disarmament Agency and the 193 member states Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said preliminary allegations between the two countries were “not sufficient to prove”.
A comprehensive investigation has not been requested, and it must be initiated by the member states.
The Blakemans said at least three Ukrainian deaths were linked to the use of chemical weapons, while more than 2,500 people were injured on the battlefield reported symptoms related to chemical weapons to Ukrainian health authorities.
Brekelmans added that Russia’s use of chemical weapons poses a threat not only to Ukraine.
“We have to increase the pressure further. This means looking at more sanctions, especially not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies such as the OPCW Executive Committee,” he said.
ReeSink talks about the use of “thousands of instances” of chemical weapons, and also cites 9,000 people in Ukraine.
In the coming months, seats on the OPCW committee will be negotiated in negotiations.
The intelligence investigation results were presented in a letter to the Dutch parliament on Friday.
Large-scale planning
Russia is a member of the OPCW and, like the United States, has destroyed its announced inventory of chemical weapons.
Sanctions could be used in conjunction with the European Commission, which proposes to include 15 other new entities and individuals as its sanctions framework, including alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
Dutch military and general intelligence agencies worked with foreign partners to find concrete evidence of intensified Russian chemical weapons production.
This includes improving research capabilities and recruiting scientists in chemical weapons development, Reesink said. He added that Russian officials have directed soldiers to use poisonous war agents.
“It’s not just some temporary patching on the frontline; it’s really part of the big plan. Of course, it’s also worrying, because these trends are likely to continue if we don’t clarify and publicize what Russia is doing,” Reesink said.
He called the use of chemical weapons by the Russian armed forces “an almost stand-alone surgical procedure.”
“We specifically link the use of chlorinated protein to improvised ammunition, such as filled bulbs and empty bottles hanging from drones. When it comes to tear gas, we see that they are also abused and converting existing ammunition as carriers of natural gas,” he said.
The OPCW lists chlorophyll proteins listed as rejected agents created to implement and monitor compliance with the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
It causes severe irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. If consumed, it can cause burns in the mouth and stomach, nausea and vomiting, as well as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
(Other reports by Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Editing by Mike Collett-White and William MacLean)
