Foreign media: Netherlands and Germany accuse Russia of expanding the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine
More than 2,500 injured on the battlefield reported symptoms caused by chemical weapons to the Kyiv health authorities.
A joint report released by the intelligence agencies of Germany and the Netherlands and the Dutch Ministry of Defense on Friday stated that Russia has intensified its use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
The German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) said in a statement that it collaborated with its Dutch counterparts to collect evidence of Russia's expansion of its chemical weapons arsenal.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruud Lubbers told Reuters journalists, "The main conclusion is that we can confirm that Russia has increased the use of chemical weapons," and he also called for stricter sanctions against Moscow.
He added, "This increase is worrying because it is part of a trend we have observed over the past few years, as the use of chemical weapons by Russia in this war is becoming more normalized, standardized, and widespread."
Dutch military intelligence and security director Peter Rijkens explained that these conclusions were based on "observations from our own investigations."
The German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) stated in a statement that Russia not only used tear gas in Ukraine, but also "used more dangerous chemical substances such as chloropicrin, which can be fatal at high concentrations in enclosed spaces."
The statement said, "This seriously violates the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the use of such pulmonary agents under any circumstances."
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) listed chloropicrin on the list of prohibited asphyxiating toxins, an organization established to implement and monitor compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (1997).
Dutch military intelligence and security director Peter Rijkens believes that Russia has enhanced its research capabilities and recruited scientists to develop chemical weapons.
He warned, "This is not just a temporary measure on the front lines, but a large-scale plan [...] Of course, this is concerning, because if we do not clarify and publicize what Russia is doing, these trends are likely to continue."
He believes that the Russian army's use of chemical weapons is "almost routine operational procedure."
Peter Rijkens continued, "We have specifically identified the link between chloropicrin and improvised munitions (such as ampoules and empty bottles hanging from drones)."
Last May, the United States accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a compound more toxic than tear gas, which was first used by Germany in World War I.
More than 2,500 injured on the battlefield reported symptoms caused by the use of chemical weapons to the Kyiv health authorities.
Ukraine accuses Russia of using chemical weapons thousands of times during the conflict, while Moscow denies the claim and in turn accuses Kyiv of using illegal weapons.
Last year, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, announced that the initial accusations from Russia and Ukraine were "lacking sufficient evidence."
According to Dutch Defense Minister Ruud Lubbers, at least three deaths in Ukraine can be attributed to the use of chemical weapons.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836739483806732/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.