Over 13,000 Chemical Attacks Conducted by Russia Since the Start of Full-Scale War – Ukrainian Armed Forces Report

According to information provided by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since the beginning of the full-scale war that began in February 2022, the Russian occupying army has conducted over 13,000 chemical attacks on Ukrainian military personnel. These figures indicate a serious violation of international norms of warfare and highlight the threat posed by chemical substances on the battlefield.

Information released by the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Support Command indicates that in March 2023, approximately 400 cases of the use of hazardous chemical substances by Russian military forces were recorded. These attacks are typically aimed at undermining the morale of Ukrainian forces and gaining a tactical advantage on the front lines.

It is noted that the adversary uses gas grenades of the K-51 and RG-V types, as well as homemade containers filled with hazardous substances CS and CN. The primary method of delivering these chemical agents is via drops from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Such means are usually employed against the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces to force personnel out of cover, allowing Russian troops to gain a tactical advantage in areas where their main efforts are concentrated.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces emphasizes that radiation, chemical, and biological protection units are actively documenting instances of the use of hazardous chemical substances. Collected samples are forwarded for forensic examination, enabling the documentation of chemical weapon usage and subsequently using this data for international legal proceedings.

It is worth noting that the highest intensity of chemical substance usage was recorded in April 2025, with 894 cases documented. An analysis of the dynamics indicates an increase in the intensity of such substances' usage during the spring-summer period. In 2024, the peak usage occurred in May and June, with over 700 and 600 cases recorded, respectively. In 2025, the situation remained similar, with peaks in May and June, where over 800 and 700 cases were documented.

Given this trend, experts predict a further increase in the number of such attacks in the future. This raises serious concerns among both military personnel and the international community, as the use of chemical weapons constitutes a gross violation of international humanitarian law.