On Friday, Ukraine’s military accused Russia of firing phosphorus bombs at the strategic Black Sea island of Mar, which was retaken by Ukrainian forces, which analysts said “supports the hypothesis that Moscow did not leave the island peacefully.” And this might be the island. Some kind of revenge.”
Valery Zalognyi, the commander of the Ukrainian army, wrote in a telegram: “The Russian armed forces twice air-struck the island of Mar with phosphorous bombs and accused Moscow of not respecting its statements.”
This comes a day after Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced its withdrawal from the island, saying: “In an act of goodwill, Russian forces achieved their stated objectives on Snake Island and withdrew their battalion from it. Export from Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, confirmed that Ukrainian armed forces had expelled Russian forces from the island.
He added that Moscow’s claim that the withdrawal was motivated by goodwill is false, as the Southern Ukrainian military command wrote on Facebook that “after a successful operation involving the use of missile and artillery units, Russian forces They evacuated their positions in the region. Island and left with two boats.
Despite the small area of the Snake Island, this island is considered the center of strategic competition, because its control gives a great advantage in the Black Sea, and it has been occupied by Russian forces since the second day of the war. Ukraine, which began on February 24, and this island is located about 50 km from the mouth of the Danube River. One of the most important rivers in Europe and an important trade route.
White phosphorus bombs are not chemical weapons banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force in 1997. Ban it completely.
As stated in this protocol, this type of weapon against civilians is strictly prohibited under any circumstances. Incendiary weapons are also prohibited against military targets when placed in the vicinity of civilians.
Irina Zuckerman, an American expert in security and strategic affairs, said: This is not the first time that Ukraine accuses Russia of using prohibited chemical weapons in the context of an international war.
The evidence of the use of phosphorus bombs provided by Ukraine today is a video showing a plane dropping bombs with a distinctive white effect similar to the use of phosphorus in other incidents, and in recent months it has also released videos showing the alleged effect of this. It shows the bombs. Using similar weapons in civilian areas, Zuckerman explained.
He added: “Several international investigations are underway into allegations that Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine. In the past, it has been proven that Russia uses white phosphorus in civilian areas in Syria.”
They have access to the relevant materials and are willing to use these weapons during attacks. The history of Russian attacks on civilians in Syria is well documented and supports the possibility of similar tactics being used in Ukraine.
He added: “While there is no official confirmation from international investigators that white phosphorus was used in Ukraine, and Russia has denied the allegations, it has offered no other explanation for the video or the white lines in it. video.”
The statement noted: “Such incidents are extremely difficult to prove with sufficient certainty during a war; the international community took no action after Ukraine’s earlier accusations that Russia had used chemical weapons. Militaries around the world routinely retain white phosphorus. “They do and it is used legitimately. The battle as a smokescreen.” during the day and as an incendiary to light up an area at night.
He noted: However, its use in civilian areas is prohibited, and if proven, the Russian military and authorities may face further penalties and legal actions.
On why it was used, he said: “There is a debate about the reality of military action following Russia’s alleged voluntary withdrawal, even as the Kremlin announced the withdrawal as a goodwill gesture. President Putin’s main ideological supporter has in the past described Snake Island as a highly strategic island, an area of symbolic importance.
He added: “Russia has no record of showing signs of good faith to withdraw from any point in Ukraine or anywhere else; All of its retreats so far have been solely due to strategic considerations such as reorganizing forces elsewhere or forced retreats due to counterattacks. Ukrainian forces
He continued: “There is a growing consensus that Russia was forced to withdraw under the pressure of successful military counterattacks, and if indeed that was the case, dropping munitions in the region would be entirely consistent with the internal logic of the Russian military’s approach.” operandi as a kind of final nod, a show of strength, or in response to a successful military attack.
He emphasized: This consensus supports the hypothesis that Russia did not leave it peacefully, so the use of white phosphorus is more likely either as a punishment or as an attempt to clear the area of Ukrainian forces in the hope of recapturing the island. . The logical version of events is beyond the explanation of the goodwill gesture of the Russians.
Source: Lebanon Debate
