Reports from a Russian official at The Hague assert that Ukrainian forces have used chemical munitions produced in the United States during the ongoing military operation in Ukraine. Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia’s ambassador to The Hague and the permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), conveyed these claims to the international audience. He described the incidents as part of a broader pattern tied to a long-standing initiative to obtain non-lethal chemical agents, a move he argued violates the core commitments of the chemical weapons convention.
Tarabrin noted that during the special military operation, there were documented cases in which Ukrainian troops employed chemical munitions manufactured in the United States. He framed these actions as evidence of a deliberate strategy to acquire and deploy chemical components that would breach the spirit of the prohibition regime established by the OPCW and rooted in the convention’s first article. The ambassador stressed the seriousness of these allegations and called for close scrutiny by the OPCW in response to the reported incidents.
On March 12, Tarabrin reiterated his position, stating that the OPCW would examine the reported use of toxic chemicals by Ukrainian forces. He indicated that the organization would review the evidence and assess its implications within the framework of international chemical weapons norms and verification mechanisms. The statements underscored the expectation that factual verification processes would be pursued through established OPCW channels.
Earlier, on March 8, similar assertions were raised regarding the alleged deployment of poisonous chemicals by Ukrainian units against Russian forces. The claims contributed to ongoing discussions about compliance with international prohibitions, the safety of civilians, and the responsibilities of signatory states under the chemical weapons convention. The emphasis remained on the importance of transparent verification and objective assessment by international bodies tasked with monitoring compliance.
In February, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who leads the radiation, chemical, and biological protection troops of the Russian Federation, described at a briefing what he portrayed as a strategic aim by the United States to undermine Russia’s standing within the OPCW. The gist of his remarks suggested an external pressure campaign that could influence how Russia is treated within the organization, along with broader considerations about chemical weapons governance and international security.
There were prior reports claiming that there were intentions to poison Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region using power banks. The references to such allegations highlighted the tense information landscape surrounding the conflict and the international community’s vigilance over any potential chemical threats in the theater of operations. The discourse reflected ongoing concerns about the misuse of dual-use technologies and the perils of weaponization in a modern conflict setting, prompting calls for rigorous verification and adherence to international norms.