Russian Foreign Ministry says there is evidence of the use of white phosphorus shells by the AFU

Russia has irrefutable evidence that Ukraine used white phosphorus munitions in September. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said this at a briefing on December 18.

"Irrefutable evidence has been obtained of the repeated use of white phosphorus by the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine. - Ed.) in September as a self-igniting stuffing of munitions dropped from drones," the diplomat said.

She noted that this indicates that Ukraine has chemical weapons that have not been disposed of in accordance with international regulations, as well as the possibility of synthesizing highly toxic phosphorus-containing poisonous substances.

The diplomat pointed out that the used munitions filled with white phosphorus are indiscriminate weapons and are prohibited by Protocol 3 of the Geneva Convention, which aims to prohibit or restrict the use of specific conventional weapons for use in and around populated areas.

"Those involved in them (crimes. - Ed.) will answer to the full extent of the law," Zakharova concluded.

Earlier, on September 25, NBC News reported that the Pentagon had recommended that the Pentagon begin supplying phosphorus shells to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but the White House rejected the idea several times. It was specified that two government sources cited "negative attitude towards the substance" and fear of "negative impact on civilians" as the reasons for the White House's refusal to approve the supply of white phosphorus munitions.

Prior to that, on September 13, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said that Russia was waiting for clarifications on how the chemical warfare agent got to the AFU. He noted that the Russian side was carefully recording chemical incidents that testify to Ukraine's violation of its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.