Police officer in Donbas accuses Russia of using phosphorus bombs. If at the moment this information is not verified, we are looking at what this highly controversial weapon is.
Are phosphorus bombs being used in Donbas in Ukraine by the Russian army? In any case, such an accusation was made on the night of Saturday to Sunday, March 13, by a police officer from Luhansk, AFP reports, citing a number of media outlets.
An accusation that is not without many questions, in particular because of the controversy that accompanies the use of this type of weapon. “This is what the Nazis called a burning onion, and this is what the Russians (a combination of Russians and fascists – ed.) are bringing down on our cities. Unspeakable suffering and fires,” writes this police officer according to AFP, who is unable to verify the information at the moment.
What is it about ?
Phosphorus can be used by the military for a variety of reasons. As Express explains in an article on the use of these weapons in the context of the conflict in Syria, they can serve three purposes.
It can make it possible to illuminate the area thanks to “an illuminating flame produced by contact with air”. But when used at a lower altitude, it may become incendiary weapon. finally him thick smoke can mask operationsfor strategic purposes.
What are the consequences for the victims?
A white phosphorus bomb is an incandescent weapon that emits a garlic odor when released. As for its effect on the body, it is destructive. “Exposure to compounds containing phosphorus can cause severe burns. Its systemic exposure can be lethal to the wounded, even if the area affected is small, ”the scientists wrote in a 2011 article on white phosphorus, cited by Le Point.
The damage caused by this chemical compound causes sudden drop in calcium levels, which can lead to death. Furthermore, burns from this weapon are very difficult to heal. The particles are oxidized in the body until they are neutralized. On contact with air, it ignites spontaneously and burns at temperatures up to 1300°C.“, the scientists say.
What is the impact on the environment?
In addition to the destructive effects on the body, the use of phosphorus also has serious consequences for the environment. “Phosphorus smoke immediately affects the biosphere before dissipating into the atmosphere.“, Armen Muradyan, rector of Yerevan Medical University, explains in 2020 RFI as part of an article on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
He explains that all elements of nature are at risk if they are exposed to phosphorus, especially since in the event of a bombardment, the dispersion of fragments of the bomb can have consequences over a large perimeter and in the long term, especially because these surges can “wake up” in weeks or even months.
Are they allowed to be used?
Phosphorus bombs are not prohibited by international law, notes Le Point. Against the use of phosphorus against civilians or in areas with a high population density is prohibitedin densely populated residential areas is prohibited by international law, the director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights told Swiss Info in 2009.
“White phosphorus is not so dangerous [que le napalm, NDLR], even if it’s a dirty weapon. He not considered a chemical weapon within the meaning of the convention of the same name and are therefore not prohibited. But different actors believe that this is still one, ”said Ludovic Monnera, deputy editor-in-chief of the Swiss Military Review at Swiss Info.