AFGHANISTAN/USSR: SOVIET USE OF LETHAL CHEMICALS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00363R000501310002-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 25, 2007
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: March 27, 1984
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/07/25: CIA-RDP85M00363R000501310002-4
Science and Weapons
Daily Review
AFGHANISTAN/USSR: SOVIET USE OF LETHAL CHEMICALS
reported that the
Soviets used lethal chemical weapons against the Mujahedin in 1980,
near Herat and Jalalabad, in 1982 near Karez, and in mid-1983 and
early 1984 in Ghazni Province. also reported that the
nerve agent tabun was used, and that the Soviets had stocks of the
nerve agents sarin and soman, as well as mustard, lewisite, and
possibly phosgene and diphosgene in Afghanistan.
Comment:
The information on CW attacks in mid-1983 and early 1984 is the
first credible reporting to indicate that the Soviets have used
chemicals more recently than February 1983. We previously reported
that there was a significant lull in CW activities during 1983,
compared to the 1980-82 period. The presence of the nerve agents
indicates that the Soviets may again be resorting to greater use of
chemical weapons.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
The stocks of CW agents in Afghanistan indicate that the Soviets
intend to continue using chemical weapons in tactical situations.
The information on stocks of chemicals 25X1
supports previous intelligence indicating that Soviet chemical
weapons and agents were stockpiled at six different locations in
Afghanistan.
25X1
LDAI
Approved For Release 2007/07/25: CIA-RDP85M00363R000501310002-4