Ukraine: Fears Russia could use chemical weapons

Summary:

In early March 2022, Russia alleged that Ukraine was developing biological weapons in laboratories run in cooperation with the United States. On 11 March, Russia convened a special meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss its concerns.

The US has refuted the allegations, accusing Russia, in turn, of creating a pretext for its own actions in Ukraine, including the possible use of non-conventional weapons, specifically chemical weapons.

This Insight examines the nature of chemical weapons, allegations of previous use by Russia and concerns among Western military chiefs that Russia could deploy them in Ukraine.