THE HAGUE, Netherlands—9 July 2023—Experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) conducted a Technical Assistance Visit in Ukraine upon the country’s request from 2 to 3 July 2024.
The Visit consisted of the delivery of 70 LCD 3.3 detectors – advanced warning devices that alert to gas and vapour threats detected and identified at or below levels immediately dangerous to life and health. The detectors determine the agent or type of chemical exposure, as well as the class, concentration and dosage. OPCW experts also provided training on how to use the detectors for 20 experts from the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, including first responders, firefighters, and medics. The training took place in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
This Visit was organised following a request made by Ukraine and following the entry into force, on 24 May, of the ad hoc Privileges and Immunities Agreement signed between Ukraine and the OPCW.
All expenses related to the provision of the equipment were covered by voluntary contributions made by OPCW Member States to the Article X Trust Fund for the provision of assistance and protection to Ukraine upon its request. To date, EUR 3.9 million of voluntary contributions to the Fund have been made by 15 States Parties, of which EUR 2.4 million have already been used or committed.
Between September 2023 and May 2024, the Secretariat conducted an online specialised course composed of several modules on “Emergency Response to Incidents Involving Toxic Chemicals” for 32 first responders in Ukraine.
From 17 to 28 June 2024, the Secretariat conducted specialised training courses on “Sampling for Investigation of Chemical Weapon Use” to 40 Ukrainian experts at the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology.
Background
The Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been monitoring the situation on the territory of Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022 in relation to allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons. Both the Russian Federation and Ukraine have accused one another and reported allegations of use of chemical weapons to the Organisation. The information provided to the Organisation so far by both sides, together with the information available to the Secretariat, is insufficiently substantiated.
Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention provides for assistance and protection to a State Party if it is attacked or threatened with attack by chemical weapons.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime.
For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.