Russian officials allege that Ukraine is gearing up for a chemical weapons attack, with backing from the US-led NATO military alliance.
Meanwhile, the UK has imposed sanctions on Russian military units for their involvement in chemical warfare in Ukraine. This development has raised international concerns about the possibility of chemical terrorism in the region.
Russian officials claim that Ukraine is preparing for a chemical weapons attack with active support from NATO. The Russian Embassy in Washington has called on the United States to cease backing what they term Kyiv’s “provocations” and to evaluate the risks of potential 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 told ‘Newsweek’ magazine on Wednesday.
The embassy further alleged that Ukraine, with active Western support, is planning a series of provocations in the Special Military Operation (SVO) zone, including the possible use of chemical weapons against Russia.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that Ukrainian forces are systematically using toxic chemicals against Russian troops and civilians.
Zakharova highlighted reports from Russian authorities, stating that between July and September of this year, NATO countries supplied Ukraine with over 70 advanced devices for detecting and recording toxic substances, including modern detectors and gas analyzers.
According to Russian officials, Ukrainian forces have allegedly used chemicals like chlorine, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and sulfuric acid against Russian military personnel, civilians, and local officials.
In addition, Ukraine’s security forces were reportedly trained, both domestically and at NATO centers, in methods of falsifying evidence—a tactic Russia claims was previously employed in Syria, the Skripal poisoning, and the alleged poisoning of Alexey Navalny.
Russia has accused NATO countries, with support from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Technical Secretariat, of assisting Ukraine in fabricating evidence to falsely accuse Russia of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The Russian Foreign Ministry claims that this behavior is politically supported by Washington, Berlin, London, and Paris.
According to Russia, the necessary materials to support these claims are already in place, further implicating the OPCW in what Moscow sees as a coordinated effort to undermine its position.
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW, Vladimir Tarabrin, stated that Russia has submitted evidence of Ukraine’s chemical weapons use to the OPCW and is closely documenting Kyiv’s alleged chemical attacks.
Tarabrin also expressed concern over intelligence, suggesting “Ukraine is preparing large-scale provocations with the use of toxic chemicals”
Ukraine & NATO’s Counter-Accusations
On the other side, Ukraine and its NATO allies have made similar claims against Russia.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has accused Russian forces of planning provocations involving chemical warfare agents with effects similar to cyanide.
At the start of this week, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Russian soldiers for allegedly using chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Among those targeted are 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 called Kirillov a “significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation.” Two of Russia’s Defense Ministry scientific laboratories were also sanctioned.
The US has also accused Russian forces of using hazardous chemicals in Ukraine, including “riot control agents” like tear gas and chloropicrin—a toxic choking agent first used in World War I.
According to the US, Russia employed chloropicrin to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions. This chemical, which irritates the lungs, eyes, and skin, can cause severe symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
In May 2024, the US accused Russia of using chemical weapons as a “method of warfare” in Ukraine, violating international laws prohibiting their use. The Kremlin dismissed these accusations as “baseless” at the time.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that the UK would not remain passive while “Putin and his mafia state” violate international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Chemical Terrorism
Chemical terrorism involves non-state actors using or threatening to use toxic chemicals to cause harm, death, economic damage, or disrupt areas for political, religious, or ideological motives. Due to the globalized chemical industry, many precursors for chemical weapons are widely available and overlap with industrial applications.
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a global arms control treaty that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. It is enforced by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based in The Hague, The Netherlands.
The treaty, in effect since 1997, bans the use of chemicals in warfare and defines them as weapons of mass destruction when used with harmful intent. Violations of the CWC occur when these banned substances are used in conflict, undermining international law.
Currently, 193 states are parties to the CWC. Notably, in the Middle East, Palestine joined in 2018, while Israel has signed but not ratified the treaty. Three other UN member states, Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan, remain outside the CWC.
The Shadow Of Chemical Terrorism
As tensions rise over the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Russia-Ukraine battlefield, international efforts to enforce the CWC and prevent chemical terrorism will remain critical in the region.
The escalating accusations of chemical weapons use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have raised serious concerns about the potential for chemical terrorism in the region. Both sides claim the other is preparing for or has already engaged in chemical attacks while also accusing each other of fabricating evidence.
This situation not only intensifies the already complex conflict but also poses a significant threat to international laws and conventions designed to prevent the use of chemical weapons.
As the accusations continue to fly, the international community faces the challenge of verifying these claims and preventing any potential use of chemical weapons, which would represent a grave violation of international law and a serious escalation of the conflict.