Russia Increasing Use of Chemical Weapons in Ukraine, EU’s Kallas Warns

Russia is ramping up its use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces, sparking serious concern among European leaders, according to European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, The Gaze reports, citing Ukrinform.

Speaking to journalists in Brussels on July 15 after an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Kallas cited intelligence from both Dutch and German sources, noting a disturbing escalation.

“This information comes from Dutch and German intelligence. And this use is intensifying. These are actually open sources, as the Dutch Ministry of Defence has published this,” Kallas said.

She revealed that Russia has already used chemical weapons over 9,000 times against Ukrainian troops since the start of its full-scale invasion — a number she called shocking.

“This is serious. Intelligence indicates these attacks are increasing. It’s deeply concerning,” she added.

Kallas stressed that Russia’s goal is to inflict maximum pain and suffering to force Ukraine into submission. “Once again, this shows that Russia wants to cause as much pain and suffering as possible so that Ukraine surrenders,” she said.

As The Gaze previously reported, the Netherlands has publicly accused Russia of systematically deploying banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces, signaling what officials call a disturbing normalization of chemical warfare on the battlefield.