Ukraine war: Russia accused of using phosphorus bombs in Bakhmut

Ukraine has accused Russia of using phosphorus munitions to attack the city of Bakhmut. Drone footage released by Ukraine’s military shows the city ablaze as white phosphorus appears to rain down on it. The use of white phosphorus weapons is not banned but is considered a war crime when used in civilian areas.

Russia has been accused of using such weapons before. Moscow has been trying to capture Bakhmut for months, despite its questionable strategic value, and thousands of Russian troops are said to have died in the assault. White phosphorus causes severe injuries and burns at 800 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to remove and causing extreme burns on human flesh.

Though Russia is a signatory to a convention that bans the use of incendiary weapons in civilian areas, the chemical does not fall under the treaty as its primary purpose is to create a smokescreen to hide military operations.

The commander of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said his forces would withdraw from Bakhmut on 10 May in a dispute over ammunition supplies. However, Ukrainian officials claim that Wagner is redeploying fighters towards Bakhmut to capture the city before Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May.

The fighting comes amid reports that Ukraine is preparing a large-scale counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is largely controlled by Russia. The Russian-installed governor of the region has ordered the evacuation of villages near the front line. Russia regards the area as its own territory after illegal annexation and self-styled referendums last year.

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