According to Kiev's claims, there were explosives planted in Hostomel, Irpin, and Kramatorsk. Pain and serious burns might result from their usage. Because of this, their usage is regulated under a Convention signed in 1980 (also signed by Moscow).
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| [Phosphorus Bombs] |
Despite Moscow's denials, Ukraine maintains that Moscow has violated the 1980 Convention on the Use of Unconventional Weapons by firing phosphorous munitions. Last night, the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushin, stated that the Russian army will deploy "white phosphorus bombs in Hostomel and Irpin," while Kiev's deputy head of police reported that the phosphorus bombs had landed on the city of Kramatorsk, which is in eastern Ukraine, according to Reuters. In addition, Biloshytskiy has posted a video purporting to show what transpired.
It is possible that this sort of ammunition was used in Lugansk, in the south-east of Ukraine, according to Sergey Gaidai, the head of the Lugansk regional military administration, as stated by the UNIAN agency on Telegram. It would have killed and injured many people, he said. The Lugansk area was blasted with rockets and phosphorous bombs overnight, according to Gaidai, who added that "four people died."
What are White Phosphorus Bombs?
But why are white phosphorus weapons so dangerous? Although not generally classified as chemical weapons, phosphorus bombs cause very severe, extensive and extremely painful burns. Phosphorus works by penetrating the skin and burning the underlying tissues causing necrosis down to the bone. If it comes into contact with the eyes, the damage is almost always irreversible. Phosphorus is also a toxic substance even by inhalation. We are therefore talking about deadly devices which, however, it must be said, were also widely used in the past in other conflicts.
What are the 'Incendiary Weapons?'
When it comes to incendiary weaponry, this sort of device falls under United Nations Convention (here is the text) and Russia's 1981 agreement to sign on to it. Incendiary weapons, or "any weapon or ammunition essentially designed to ignite objects or to cause burns to people by the action of flame, heat, or a combination of flame and heat, released by the chemical reaction of a substance launched on the target," are among the "unconventional" weapons that "can be considered excessively harmful or having indiscriminate effects." Napalm, termite, and white phosphorus are just a few examples of the many types of bombs that may be used.
When is the use of incendiary weapons allowed?
However, the article states that incendiary weapons are not restricted to:
Fire effects that aren't specifically intended to cause burns to people but are intended for use against military targets such as armoured vehicles, aeroplanes, installations or logistical support means are called "incidental incendiary ammunition," and include things like "illuminating ammunition," "tracer ammunition," "smoking ammunition," "signalling ammunition" and other similar types of ammunition.
As a result, in certain circumstances, "incendiary" weapons are permissible. However, these bombs may only be deployed in limited circumstances, such as providing cover for soldiers or striking certain military targets.
When this type of weapon is prohibited?
Using incendiary weapons against civilians is prohibited under any circumstance, and the Convention also states that "it is forbidden under any circumstances to attack the civilian population as such with incendiary weapons, or to attack a military target located within a concentration of civilians with incendiary weapons launched from an aircraft."
If these natural components are utilised to cover, hide or disguise combat or other military goals, or if they are themselves military targets, then white phosphorus weapons and other incendiary explosives may be launched against woodlands and forests. In reality, phosphorus weapons may also be used to create smoke screens in order to hide the movements of the soldiers from detection. As previously stated, their usage is legal in this situation as long as the region where the bombs are launched is far away from residential areas.
However, it must be mentioned that the conditions under which such devices would have been fired are not yet apparent, according to Kiev, Russia's army is openly breaching the 1980 treaty that forbids the use of incendiary weapons (including phosphorus weapons).