The Ukrainian General Staff reported on January 18, 2025, that Russian forces used ammunition equipped with chemical agents banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention 434 times in December 2024. Since February 2023, a total of 5,389 cases of such violations have been documented, News.bg reports.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) emphasizes in its latest analysis that Ukraine's radiation, chemical and biological intelligence departments are monitoring the use of chemical agents by Russia. This includes regulated K-51 and RG-VO grenade launchers for firing ammunition with banned chemicals, as well as ammunition containing unspecified hazardous chemicals. The use of such weapons violates the 1925 Geneva Protocol.
Ukrainian officials have reported increased cases of the use of banned substances by the Russian army, noting that these actions have been systematic since the beginning of the war in February 2023.
Mobilization of new troops and recruitment of women
Russian volunteer units are stepping up their efforts to recruit new manpower, including women. Dmitry Rogozin, former head of Roscosmos and senator in the occupied Zaporizhia region, announced on January 19 that the Russian reserve unit BARS-Sarmat is recruiting both qualified specialists and unqualified men and women from all over Russia to participate in combat operations in Ukraine.
The initiative is part of a broader Russian campaign advertising the joining of women in combat units in the army.
Cooperation between Russia and Iran on military modernization
Russia appears to be expanding its strategic relationship with Iran to include joint military modernization. A Russian blogger suggested on January 18 that following the strategic partnership agreement signed on January 17, Moscow could receive new supplies of military equipment from Iran.
Russia is expected to provide advanced Su-35S, Su-30SM, and Su-57 fighter jets, as well as S-300 air defense systems, in exchange for Iranian stealth drones, Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles, and other long-range military weapons. Such cooperation could strengthen Russia's defenses against Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea.