Current conflicts involving the use of prohibited weapons

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed Russia's use of prohibited chemical substances in the Ukraine conflict, with a documented increase in incidents and affected military personnel. This demonstrates an active violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in an ongoing conflict.

The confirmed deployment and use of the 9M729 missile by Russia in Ukraine is a direct violation of the defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which sought to limit this type of armament. Its use in 2026 highlights the escalation of the conflict and the implications for nuclear arms control.

Although there is no official UN confirmation, allegations of chemical weapon use by the Sudanese Army in 2025, supported by US administration sources, keep this conflict a current and relevant point of concern in the context of prohibited weapons.

Iran's launch of cluster munitions over Israel in March 2026 is a clear violation of international treaties prohibiting these weapons, due to their indiscriminate nature and the long-term danger they pose to civilians. This makes it a current and critical item in the ranking.

The withdrawal or intention of withdrawal of several European countries from the Ottawa Convention in 2025-2026, motivated by the perception of a Russian threat, raises current and significant concern about the resurgence of anti-personnel mine use. These indiscriminate weapons pose a constant danger to civilians.