Throughout history, chemical weapons have been one of the most feared tools of warfare.
Their use has been banned under international law, yet reports of their deployment continue to surface in modern conflicts.
From World War I to more recent battles, these weapons have caused immense suffering, leaving long-lasting effects on both soldiers and civilians.
Despite global efforts to eliminate them, accusations of their use still arise, raising concerns about their role in today’s wars.
Unidentified Chemicals Used
The Ukrainian military has accused Russia of using chemical weapons on the battlefield.
In a report published by Ukraine’s General Staff, officials claim Russian forces deployed chemical agents 434 times in December 2024.
The report states that these attacks included munitions containing toxic substances such as K-51 and RG-VO, which are classified as riot control agents but are banned in war.
Ukrainian authorities also report the use of unidentified chemical compounds in the attacks.
Since February 2023, Ukraine claims to have documented 5,389 instances of chemical weapon use.
Military officials describe the pattern as systematic, accusing Russia of ignoring international treaties, including the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The report alleges that Russian forces are repeatedly violating laws that prohibit the production and use of such weapons.
Concerns over chemical attacks have been growing, according to L'Independent.
The Kyiv Independent reported a rise in gas attacks as early as August 2024. On November 18, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that a riot control agent had been used in Ukraine.
Ukrainian military officials state that more than 2,000 soldiers have been hospitalized due to chemical exposure, and three have died.
Ukraine has taken direct action in response.
Officials claim that Ukrainian forces carried out an operation inside Russian territory, targeting and killing Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, a high-ranking officer responsible for chemical and biological defense.
Russia has not commented on the allegations.
