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Chemical weapons: EU sanctions three entities in the Russian Armed Forces over use of chemical weapons in Ukraine

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU
Press release
20 May 2025 14:25

The Council today decided to impose additional restrictive measures on three Russian entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons.

The entities listed today are the Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence Troops, the 27th Scientific Centre and the 33rd Central Scientific Research and Testing Institute of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, all belonging to the Russian Armed Forces.

This decision was taken in light of the reports issued by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in November 2024 and February 2025, confirming the presence of riot control agents such as chemical CS (2-Chlorobenzalmalononitrile) and related compounds in the samples collected at the frontlines in Ukraine. Such agents have been used as a method of warfare by Russian forces in Ukraine, in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is a State Party.

Russia has not provided a credible explanation regarding its widely reported use of riot control agents. Considering the seriousness of the situation and to enhance the global norm against the use of chemical weapons, the EU calls for a timely attribution by the OPCW of the proven use of riot control agents as a method of warfare.

EU restrictive measures against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons now apply to a total of 25 individuals and 6 entities.

Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed.

The EU remains fully committed to countering the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, and to supporting the provisions laid down by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC).

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Background

On 22 March 2018, the European Council confirmed that the use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons under any circumstances, is completely unacceptable, must be systematically and rigorously condemned and constitutes a security threat to us all.

On 15 October 2018, the Council adopted the legal framework for restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. This framework currently applies until 16 October 2026. The concrete restrictive measures applied to the listed persons and entities laid down in this legal framework are currently in force until 16 October 2025.

The EU follows developments in this domain closely and can decide to renew sanctions and amend the list of targeted persons and entities at any time.