Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia has significantly escalated its use of chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine, with intelligence reports indicating over 9,000 instances since the full-scale invasion began, according to Anton Honchar, chief specialist of the Department of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection of the Support Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In a recent interview, Honchar shed light on Russia's flagrant disregard for international prohibitions and the evolving nature of chemical warfare.
Honchar revealed that Russia's use of chemical agents dates back to 2014-2015, long before the current large-scale conflict. Despite being a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, Moscow is directly violating the agreement by employing substances like RG-Vo and K-51 as weapons of war. These agents are strictly prohibited for such use under international law.
The Ukrainian forces face a challenging environment in documenting these attacks, as definitive proof of chemical weapon use often requires laboratory analysis. To address this, Ukraine has deployed mobile groups tasked with collecting samples of dangerous chemical substances directly from the battlefield. Since February 2023, these teams have recorded more than 10,000 incidents involving suspicious chemical agents.
Honchar further clarified the distinction between chemical weapons and dangerous chemical substances, emphasizing the specific intent behind their use in warfare. He also provided insights into how chemical warfare has transformed since World War I, highlighting the continued threat posed by such illicit practices.
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