Russian forces used dangerous chemical agents against Ukrainian defenders about 400 times in March 2026. According to Ukrainian military estimates, more than 13,000 such cases have been recorded since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“The enemy uses gas grenades of the K-51 and RG-Vo types, as well as homemade containers equipped with CS and CN substances. The main method of delivery is dropping from unmanned aerial vehicles. Most often, such means are used on positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in order to force personnel to leave cover and gain a tactical advantage in the areas of concentration of main efforts,” the message states:
The General Staff also reported that the radiation, chemical and biological protection units of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine document the facts of the use of dangerous chemical substances, and the collected samples are transferred for forensic examination. The highest level of intensity of such attacks was recorded in April 2025 – 894 cases.
“Analysis of the dynamics indicates an increase in the intensity of the use of such substances in the spring-summer period. In 2024, the peak fell on May and June (over 700 and 600 cases, respectively), in 2025 – on May and June (over 800 and 700). Taking into account this trend, a further increase in the number of such attacks is predicted”, – the military noted.
Chemical attacks are strictly prohibited by international law during war. According to the Chemical Weapons Convention, the use of toxic substances is a war crime. The use of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, liquids and processes is prohibited, as they are weapons of mass destruction.
