Russia using phosphorous bombs?

Russia has been accused of deploying lethal phosphorous bombs in Ukraine, raising worries that Vladimir Putin may resort to chemical weapons.

Footage shows what seems to be white phosphorus blazing ferociously on the ground in Kramatorsk, Ukraine’s eastern metropolis, while additional shots show it lighting in the sky over Kyiv.

White phosphorous causes damage and death by burning deeply into tissue, inhaling as smoke, and ingesting it.

 

Watch this video to know all about phosphorous bombs:

 

Oleksiy Biloshytskiy, the chief of police in Kramatorsk, posted a video showing stuff burning on the ground when it was touched with a shovel.

The unconfirmed footage was shot in a location that serves as the headquarters for Ukraine’s Joint Forces Operation.

“Yet another use of phosphorous ammunition in Kramatorsk,” he said.

Meanwhile, ITV claims to have captured images of phosphorous above Kyiv’s northwestern districts on Tuesday.

The chemical can be seen exploding in the night over Ukraine’s capital.

Western policymakers are increasingly fearful that a desperate Putin would resort to chemical weapons as his invasion falters.

“I think it’s a real threat,” President Joe Biden remarked as he walked out of the White House.

It collapses as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warns Russia not to use chemical weapons in Ukraine.

“Any use of chemical weapons would completely transform the nature of the battle, constitute a clear breach of international law, and have far-reaching ramifications,” he added.

Meanwhile, the US has decided that Russian forces committed war crimes in Ukraine and will attempt to prosecute the perpetrators, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

He claimed evidence of indiscriminate or intentional assaults on populations, as well as the damage of residential complexes, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and other structures.

White phosphorous has been widely employed in battle over the years, particularly in World Wars I and II, as well as in Korea and Vietnam.

It is suspected that Turkish soldiers deployed it against Kurds in 2019.

The substance, which is generated from the chemical element phosphorous, can be utilised in smoke, tracer fire, and bombs.

It is pyrophoric, which means it may self-ignite and burn clothing, flesh, fuel, and ammunition.

Because of its ability to produce smoke, it is commonly found in smoke grenades and other weapons such as launchers and mortars.

They are employed to generate a smoke screen to conceal unit movements, firing locations, and infrared signatures.

The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons prohibits incendiary weapons, but excludes those containing white phosphorus.