Intelligence agencies: Russia using more chemical weapons

Russia is increasing its use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, according to findings from the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and two Dutch intelligence agencies.

"The use of tear gas and chloropicrin by Russian troops has now become standard practice and is widespread," the BND together with the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), said in a joint announcement on Friday.

Chloropicrin, which has characteristics similar to tear gas, is also known as trichloronitromethane. It is banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

Chloropicrin is a chemical warfare agent from the group of pulmonary agents. During World War I, it was also referred to as Green Cross, as shells filled with such agents were marked with a green cross at the time.

Chloropicrin serious violation

Chloropicrin can be lethal in high concentrations in enclosed spaces, the agencies said. They stressed that using chloropicrin constitutes a serious violation of the CWC, which prohibits the use of this pulmonary agent under all circumstances.

The CWC, described as the world's first multilateral agreement for eliminating an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, was first signed in Paris in 1993 after years of negotiations.

Both Russia and Ukraine signed the agreement, which took effect in 1997, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).