Ukraine has officially asked the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to launch an investigation into Russia's possible use of toxic chemicals in the war zone.
Reuters reports this with reference to a request from Kyiv submitted to the organization’s executive council in The Hague.
Ukraine Calls on OPCW to Investigate Russia's Use of Chemical Weapons
The initiative arose after statements by Dutch and German intelligence agencies indicating the presence of evidence of the systematic use of prohibited substances by the Russian Federation against Ukrainian military personnel.
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OPCW chief Fernando Arias said the organization would step up monitoring of the situation along the frontline and called on member states to discuss the Ukrainian proposal. Support from a majority of member states is needed to launch a formal investigation.
Ukraine proposes to create an independent and impartial mechanism capable of not only recording the use of chemical weapons, but also identifying those responsible.
Previously, Dutch intelligence reported that at least three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than 2,500 others suffered symptoms of toxic effects as a result of the chemicals. Back in 2023, the United States accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a toxic substance banned by international agreements.
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces support forces, in March 2025 alone, 767 cases of the Russian army using ammunition with toxic substances were recorded. In April, the GUR reported frequent cases of chemical weapons use in the area of the village of Shcherbaki in Zaporizhia.
