Dutch, German Intel Detail Russian Chemical Attacks

Dutch and German intelligence agencies have presented concrete evidence that Russia is intensifying and systematizing the use of banned chemical weapons, such as chloropicrin, against Ukrainian forces, often deploying them via drones to flush soldiers from trenches. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans and intelligence chief Peter Reesink have called for tougher sanctions on Russia, warning that the normalization of chemical weapon use threatens not just Ukraine but Europe and the world. Ukrainian authorities report thousands of chemical weapon incidents, with at least three confirmed deaths and thousands more affected by exposure. The U.S. also accused Russia of using chloropicrin in 2024, but international agencies like the OPCW have not independently verified these claims. Russia denies the allegations and accuses Ukraine of similar actions. Dutch intelligence urges stronger international measures to protect the global ban on chemical weapons.