Russia's use of chemical weapons is becoming part of its military doctrine, so there is a risk of a so-called accidental or deliberate incident, for example, during Russian military exercises on the border with NATO.

Patrick Bolder, a strategic analyst and defense expert, an employee of the Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS), and a former lieutenant colonel of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, said this in a comment to an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague.

"Now that the use of chemical weapons seems to be becoming more normalized among Russian forces and becoming part of their military doctrine, it means it is part of their modus operandi. So there is a risk that Russian forces on the border could be conducting chemical weapons training," he said.

The expert also described a potential scenario where a chemical wave could cross the border.

For example, on the border with Estonia, they can conduct chemical weapons training, and suddenly something can go wrong - apparently by accident or intentionally. And the chemical wave crosses the border due to favorable weather conditions. And it will hit NATO soldiers as well as civilians. How do we respond to that? Would it be an act of war? Can we prove that it was intentional? And if Russia says, Oh, excuse me, are we going to believe that? How do we respond diplomatically and militarily? - asked Bolder.

According to him, a recent report by Dutch military intelligence emphasizes that such scenarios are quite possible and we need to be prepared for them.

"In fact, this report from the Dutch military intelligence should make us think about such situations and make us think: this is a completely possible scenario, and we should prepare for it. And this report shows that it is quite possible. It is no longer improbable," he said.

As Ukrinform reported, the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), and the German Foreign Intelligence Service (BND) are warning that Russia's use of chemical weapons against Ukraine is expanding.