Russian propaganda continues a campaign of unfounded accusations against Ukraine over the alleged use of chemical weapons. Analysts from the Center for Countering Disinformation have drawn attention to this.

This time, Kyrylo Lysogorskyi, a representative of the Russian delegation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), claimed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly drop toxic substances from drones and “attack the civilian population of Russia”.

This is yet another fake with no evidence whatsoever. The OPCW and other international bodies have never recorded any cases of Ukraine using chemical weapons. Russia has been repeating these accusations for years, but each time it fails to provide samples, independent examinations, or even coordinates of the allegedly “affected” settlements.

On the contrary, it is Russian forces that systematically violate the Chemical Weapons Convention. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, hundreds of cases have been documented in which drones dropped grenades containing chloropicrin, tear gas, and other choking agents on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These facts have been confirmed by the OPCW, are being investigated as war crimes, and have become grounds for new sanctions against Russia.

When Russians drop chloropicrin, CS gas, K-51 grenades, and similar munitions on Ukrainian positions, they need a justification: “We weren’t the first – Ukraine started it”. This reduces the likelihood of a tough international response and new sanctions. The domestic audience hears: “Ukrainian Nazis are poisoning peaceful Russians with chemicals!” This fuels hatred and a willingness to fight “until everyone is destroyed”.