The Netherlands and German intelligence agencies have gathered evidence of widespread Russian use of prohibited chemical weapons in Ukraine, including throwing funds from drones to expel from trenches, is published on Friday.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for stricter sanctions against Moscow.
“The main conclusion is that we can confirm that Russia intensifies the use of chemical weapons,” he said for Reuters.
“This intensification is worrying because it has been part of the trend that have been observed for several years, when the Russian use of chemical weapons in the war is becoming increasingly normalized, more standardized and widespread.”
German External Intelligence Agency BND confirmed the findings, stating that the evidence collected together with its Dutch counterparts.
Reuters first reported intelligence data.
Head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIV) Peter Reesink said the conclusions follow “our own independent intelligence”.
Reuters claim that he failed to independently verify the use of prohibited chemical substances from either side in the war in Ukraine.
The US for the first time in May last year accused Russia for the use of hydropicers, a chemical compound more toxic than the assurance of disorder, which Germany first used during the First World War.
Ukraine claims that Russia used thousands of chemical weapons.
Russia denied the use of illegal ammunition and accused Ukraine for it.
Maria Zaharova, spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Wednesday that the Federal Security Service revealed the Ukrainian hideout of explosive devices in the eastern country containing chloropic.
Ukraine denies such charges. Chemical weapon injunction (OPCW), the disarmament agency with 193 Member States, has announced that the charges that both countries presented each other “undercovered”.
At least three deaths in Ukraine are associated with the use of chemical weapons, Brekelmans said, while more than 2,500 wounded on the battlefield reported symptoms associated with chemical weapons.
Increased use of chemical weapons by Russia is a threat not only Ukraine but also to other countries, he added.
(Vijesti.ba)
