Russia uses chemical agents against Ukraine 224 times in January 2026
Russian forces used riot control agents against Ukrainian forces 224 times in January 2026. This is according to statistics released by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The riot control agents mainly used by invading Russian forces are K-51 and RG-VO gas grenades, filled with CS and CN chemical substances.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have recorded over 12,000 cases of Russia launching these grenades against Ukrainian positions since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.
Using riot control agents as a method of warfare is in contravention of article 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention, of which Russia is a signatory. Riot control agents such as CS and CN cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, lacrimation, coughing, suffocation, disorientation and temporary loss of combat capability.
