Russia urges OPCW to probe 'documented' Ukrainian chemical attacks
3 Min Read
Russia’s envoy states that Ukraine has developed a system for the mass production of toxic chemicals and has requested expert assistance under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
-
FPV drones ready to be fired toward Russian positions in a shelter in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on May 23, 2025 (AP)
Russia has formally called on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to dispatch experts to investigate what it suspects to be Ukraine’s use of chemical weapons.
The request was announced by Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW and Ambassador to The Hague, during the 109th session of the OPCW Executive Council, currently taking place in The Hague from July 8 to 11.
Tarabrin claimed that Russian authorities continue to document not only individual cases of the use of toxic chemicals by Ukrainian nationalist formations but also evidence of a systematic infrastructure for the mass production of such substances on Ukrainian territory.
Growing concern
According to Tarabrin, Moscow submitted an official letter on behalf of Russia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, invoking paragraph 38(e) of Article VIII of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The provision allows for the exchange of technical assistance between states parties, including dispatching expert teams.
“I am instructed to officially inform OPCW member states that the Permanent Representation has submitted a letter... requesting the OPCW Technical Secretariat Director-General to send experts to Russia for a visit to provide technical assistance,” Tarabrin said as reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
The Russian envoy emphasized that the alleged use of chemical weapons by Ukrainian forces is of serious and growing concern, and he urged the OPCW to fulfill its mandate by conducting an on-site evaluation.
Russia accuses West of political weaponization
Tarabrin also used his remarks to criticize what he called the “War Party” in Europe, accusing certain Western states of orchestrating a disinformation campaign aimed at framing Russia for violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
He asserted that instead of addressing legitimate allegations raised by Moscow, Western countries are attempting to “politicize” the OPCW’s role and deflect attention by fabricating accusations against Russia.
No official response has yet been issued by the OPCW regarding Russia’s request.
Ukrainian drones in DPR carried banned Chloropicrin: FSB
Earlier this month, a Ukrainian Armed Forces cache of homemade bombs designed for drones and loaded with the banned chemical warfare agent chloropicrin was discovered in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), according to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
"The Russian Federal Security Service, together with the Russian Ministry of Defense, discovered a cache of the Ukrainian Armed Forces ... [in] the Donetsk People's Republic containing improvised explosive devices intended for dropping from UAVs," the FSB announcement said.
The statement added that the bombs were loaded with plastic explosives and combat poison Chloropicrin, an agent prohibited by the International Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The statement noted that, in response to this discovery, the Investigative Department of the FSB initiated a criminal case under the provisions of Russia's criminal code for the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition, or sale of weapons of mass destruction.
These developments come as Russia gains more ground in the Ukraine war, most recently gaining control over the Lugansk territory.
