‘Russia Using Chemical Weapons In Ukraine’, Spies Say (Worthy News Radio)
By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (Worthy News) – The Netherlands’ prime minister says Dutch and German intelligence agencies have evidence of Russia’s widespread use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, raising concerns about the security of Europe and beyond.
Dick Schoof spoke to reporters in The Hague, the Dutch city that hosts the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
“This is serious. Because we’re talking about chemical weapons with potentially deadly effects,” said Schoof, who was director-general of the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD).
“The substance in question…is chloropicrin. In high concentrations in enclosed spaces, this substance is lethal. In other situations, it forces people to flee their trenches because they can’t stay there, and they’re then shot at and killed as they flee,” he added.
Chloropicrin is listed as a banned choking agent by the OPCW, which was created to implement and monitor compliance with the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
It can cause severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. If ingested, it can cause burns in the mouth and stomach, nausea and vomiting, as well as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, and possible death.
Schoof stressed that “this is a violation of the international treaties we have in this area,” when asked whether using this agent amounted to a war crime. “That also means the Netherlands will undoubtedly bring this up at the OPCW Executive Council next week.”
TOUGHER SANCTIONS
However, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans already called for tougher sanctions against Moscow as “we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons.”
At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, Brekelmans added, while Ukrainian health authorities say more than 2,500 people reported being injured on the battlefield with chemical weapons-related symptoms.
Increased use of chemical weapons by Russia poses a threat not only to Ukraine but to other countries, Brekelmans added.
Schoof confirmed that it is unusual for intelligence services to reveal what they know, but added that because of “the seriousness,” it had to be made public.
“And because there must be no misunderstanding about Russia’s intentions in Ukraine. The fact that they’re willing to use this type of weapon, and that our intelligence services can confirm this, led to the decision to disclose it publicly.”
Ultimately, he stressed, “We of course want Russia to stop using these weapons. The first steps toward that are always diplomatic. And that means, since the OPCW—the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons—is based here in the Netherlands, this issue will be brought up at the Executive Council.”
Russia is a member of the OPCW and, like the United States, has destroyed its declared chemical weapons stockpiles, according to inspectors.
ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS
Schoof said the case highlighted the “active discussion in Europe about the 18th sanctions package” against Russia.
“There is good hope that a decision can be made in Europe in the coming days. And putting pressure on Russia is extremely important to ultimately force them to the negotiating table, to first achieve a ceasefire and then lasting peace.”
The United States first accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents and first used by Germany during World War I, in May last year.
Ukraine alleges thousands of instances of Russian chemical weapons use. Russia has also been accused to have used banned chemical agents against numerous political opponents in Europe.
Moscow has denied the accusations. Instead, it accused Ukraine of using chemical weapons.
The Russian foreign ministry said Wednesday that the Federal Security Service discovered “a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices in the east of the country containing chloropicrin.”
Ukraine has denied the charges. Besides reported chemical weapons, Ukraine has faced a deadly barrage of missiles and drones fired by Russia in recent days.
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