In February 2026, Russian troops used special ammunition with irritant chemicals almost 400 times, which is prohibited by international law.
This was reported to Ukrinform by the head of the communications department of the command of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant Colonel Maxim Kravchuk, informs the portal PromPolitInform.
What ammunition was used by the enemy
During February 2026, the enemy, along with traditional means of fire destruction, used special ammunition equipped with irritant chemicals, in particular, used gas grenades such as K-51 and RG-VO, equipped with CS and CN chemicals. These grenades are anti-riot weapons.
The troops of radiation, chemical, biological protection of the APU Support Forces for February 2026 recorded almost 400 such cases.
In January 2026, the enemy regularly used special ammunition equipped with irritant chemicals, in particular, 224 cases of the use of dangerous chemicals were recorded.
CS and CN substances affect the temporary loss of combat capability
CS and CN substances in a number of states are officially used by law enforcement agencies exclusively in peacetime for law enforcement purposes, in particular control of riots, subject to strict compliance with certain norms and restrictions.
These substances do not belong to the list of lethal chemical warfare agents and are not aggressive solvents of equipment or personal protective equipment, nor are they intended for immediate lethal destruction of personnel.
These substances cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, lacrimation, cough, suffocation, disorientation and temporary loss of combat capability.
In some cases, the symptoms of lesions described by military personnel may partially coincide with the manifestations of the action of other chemical stimuli, in particular anti-riot weapons or mixtures of unknown composition.
In accordance with article 1, paragraph 5, of the Convention on the Prohibition, Development, Production, Stockpiling, Use and Destruction of Chemical Weapons, the use of such substances as means of warfare is prohibited.
Units of the troops of radiation, chemical, biological protection of the APU Support Forces record cases of the use of hazardous chemicals, the selected samples are transferred for forensic studies.
In general, over the entire period of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, more than 13 thousand cases of the use of dangerous chemicals have been documented.
Photo – Command of the Armed Forces Support Forces
