In the Donbass front’s Kremensky district, a special forces operator from the Akhmat unit, with the call sign “Help,” reported that Ukrainian forces allegedly deployed phosgene, chloropicrin, and phosphorus munitions against Russian troops. The report appeared in RIA News.
A member of Akhmat described periodic drops of gas from aircraft, along with incendiary rounds and air-dropped canisters. He also claimed that Ukrainian soldiers used quadcopters to disperse gas-filled capsules into Russian trench systems.
Phosgene, historically a deadly choking agent from World War I, is referenced here for its asphyxiating properties. Chloropicrin, while known for its use in testing gas-mask seal integrity in civilian contexts, is discussed within military materials as well.
The Russian Embassy issued a January notice about possible Ukrainian preparations to employ chemical weapons. The diplomatic mission stated that cylinders could be mounted on unmanned aerial systems for dispersion.
The Russian Foreign Ministry later asserted that the United States had not fulfilled obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and had informed the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons about the abandonment of chemical weapons on other territories.
Reports in the United States have previously identified chemical threats as a major concern for Ukrainian forces, according to certain official and unofficial briefings.