The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has recorded a staggering 465 instances of chemical weapon usage by the Russian Federation, with a worrying surge in such attacks observed in December 2023.
According to the General Staff's latest update, December alone saw 81 chemical attacks, underscoring an alarming trend in the ongoing conflict.
The report detailed the variety of methods employed by Russian forces to deploy these chemical weapons.
The most common approach involves the use of grenades, such as the K-51, RGR, and Drofa-PM hand gas grenades, which are typically dropped from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Additionally, improvised explosive devices equipped with irritants and artillery shells containing chemically hazardous substances have been utilized.
A particularly concerning development was the introduction of a new type of special gas grenade, RG-VO, on December 14, 2023. This grenade reportedly contains an unknown chemical substance, adding a new layer of threat to the already volatile situation.
In response to these attacks, specialized radiation, chemical, and biological reconnaissance groups from the military units of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Security Service of Ukraine, have been actively documenting these incidents. So far, they have successfully documented and submitted 28 cases for further investigative actions as part of criminal proceedings.
This significant number of chemical attacks, particularly the spike in December, highlights an escalating dimension in the conflict, raising concerns about the potential impacts on both military personnel and civilians in the affected areas.
