Russia has used over 11,000 chemical munitions against Ukraine: OPCW data

According to МЗС: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Chemical Weapons

On November 30, the international community honors the memory of thousands of people who became victims of chemical weapon use. It has been over a hundred years since the first mass use of chemical warfare agents in the Belgian city of Ypres. This event shook the world and prompted the formation of a global system for the prohibition of chemical weapons.

Today, the tragedy of the past is becoming relevant again as the Russian Federation uses chemical agents as a method of waging war during its armed aggression against Ukraine. Since February 2023, Ukraine has recorded 11,697 instances of Russian forces using munitions with chemical substances, resulting in 3,003 Ukrainian servicemen being hospitalized with symptoms of chemical exposure.

Appeal to the International Community

As a state that adheres to the regime of non-proliferation of chemical weapons, Ukraine constantly informs the OPCW about violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention by the Russian Federation.

Ukraine expresses gratitude to the OPCW for its objective and professional work in studying these violations and hopes for the active participation of this organization in holding the Russian Federation accountable.

The Importance of Countering the Abuse of Chemical Weapons

Today, it is critically important to deprive Russia of the sense of impunity for crimes related to the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield to prevent their recurrence. As long as the Russian Federation does not fulfill its obligations, it does not belong among states that contribute to global security.

The international community must direct its efforts towards ensuring a world free from chemical weapons and preventing a recurrence of the tragedy of Ypres. Ukraine, elected to the Executive Council of the OPCW, will continue to work on strengthening international security to protect humanity from the horrors of chemical warfare.

In light of the celebration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Chemical Weapons, it is essential to remember the threat posed by chemical weapons to humanity. It is necessary to strengthen international efforts to prevent the use of chemical weapons and to hold accountable the states responsible for their actions.