War of Poison: EU Documents Russia’s Use of Dangerous Chemicals in Ukraine

The Council of the European Union has drafted a new sanctions regulation that, for the first time, officially accuses Russia of using hazardous chemical agents — specifically CS tear gas — on the front lines in Ukraine.

According to the document’s explanatory note, reviewed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, EU officials cite reports from the Organisation for the Chemical Weapons Prohibition.

These reports detail incidents involving the use of chemical agents near the villages of Marivka and Illinka in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region in 2024.

Experts have presented evidence of CS gas traces following Russian attacks, including soil and water analysis, interviews with military personnel, and photographs of RG-Vo hand grenade casings (from the Russian “ручная граната – вещество отравляющее,” meaning “hand grenade – poisonous substance”).

The EU’s sanctions justification states:

“Given the seriousness of the situation, the lack of a credible explanation from Russia regarding its widely documented use of riot control agents, and to uphold the global prohibition against the use of chemical weapons, the European Union calls on the Organisation for the Chemical Weapons Prohibition to promptly attribute responsibility for the confirmed use of such substances as a method of warfare.”

The European Union’s sanctions list will include: the Russian Defense Ministry’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops, as well as the 27th and 33rd Scientific Research Centers, linked to the development and use of chemical agents.

CS is a tear gas, also known as “Siren.” It causes severe irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, leading to choking and disorientation.

Formally, CS is considered a non-lethal riot control agent and is used by police forces in many countries.

However, the use of such substances as weapons is prohibited under Article 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention, EU officials note.

Chemical Grenades

The use of Russian-made RG-Vo chemical hand grenades was first documented in Ukraine in 2023.

On May 29, 2024, the Russian RT state propaganda channel shared a report on social media showing the dropping of an RG-Vo chemical grenade onto a dugout with Ukrainian soldiers.

Expert analysis confirmed the presence of traces of a combat-grade irritant agent in the grenade’s contents, specifically, chloroacetophenone (CN).

The substance chloroacetophenone (CN) is banned for use as a chemical warfare agent under the Geneva Protocol, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1969 following its use during the Vietnam War.

Chloroacetophenone acts directly on mucous membranes, causing intense irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, with a burning sensation and pain in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

Irritation of the respiratory tract caused by CN leads to sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, and a sensation of suffocation.

Russian invasion forces are also using K-51 gas grenades, which have a similar effect to CS tear gas.

Russian forces first started using K-51 chemical grenades during the battles for Donetsk Airport in 2015.

The K-51 grenade is highly effective against personnel without gas masks who are located in enclosed spaces.

Its impact is several times greater than that of grenades used for dispersing protesters, as it was designed for military and special forces use. The grenade is detonated remotely, with a delay of 3 to 4 seconds.