The Netherlands and Germany said on 4 July that their intelligence services have gathered evidence of widespread and rising Russian use of prohibited chemical weapons in Ukraine, the most detailed accusation of its kind since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans cited findings from the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), which the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) has independently confirmed. According to the agencies, Russian forces are deploying the choking agent chloropicrin and riot-control gas CS in improvised munitions—often dropped from drones—to drive Ukrainian soldiers from fortified positions before targeting them with conventional fire. The services described the practice as “standardised and commonplace,” pointing to what they call a large-scale Russian production and research programme. Officials referenced thousands of documented incidents; Kyiv places the tally at about 9,000. At least three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and more than 2,500 have reported symptoms consistent with chemical exposure, the Dutch minister said. Brekelmans urged tougher international sanctions and advocated stripping Moscow of positions on the executive council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The OPCW has not yet been formally asked to investigate. Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately comment on the latest allegations but has previously denied using banned munitions and accused Ukraine of similar violations.