Pentagon advised White House to provide Ukraine with white phosphorus shells
Photo: The US Department of Defense advised the White House to provide Ukraine with phosphorus munitions (Getty Images)
Senior Pentagon officials have recommended that the Biden administration provide Ukraine with white phosphorus munitions as part of defense aid. However, the White House has repeatedly rejected this proposal, according to the American media outlet NBC News.
According to the Pentagon's plan, Ukrainian forces would use these phosphorous shells during military operations on the front lines, though not for targeting enemy personnel or equipment.
Reports in American media indicate that the Pentagon's recommendation was to supply Ukraine with white phosphorus artillery shells for battlefield illumination and creating smoke screens, rather than using them against enemy troops.
Three US officials told NBC that the US government has several times rejected the Department of Defense's idea of providing Ukraine with white phosphorus munitions.
Phosphorus munitions and their use
White phosphorus ignites instantly upon contact with oxygen. The substance burns at an extremely high temperature and is difficult to extinguish. It adheres to surfaces (especially clothing or skin) and can cause fatal burns.
Additionally, chemicals in the smoke can harm the lungs and eyes.
US forces have used white phosphorus against enemy forces in 20th-century conflicts, including World War II and Vietnam.
Currently, the US uses white phosphorus in artillery shells to create smoke for troop movements and to provide battlefield illumination.
However, human rights advocates oppose the use of white phosphorus shells near civilians because the chemical can severely burn human skin.
The report emphasizes that white phosphorus munitions are not illegal, and the substance is not classified as a chemical weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Nevertheless, international law requires militaries to use it to distinguish between military targets and areas where civilians may be present.
Details on the Pentagon's recommendation and potential transfer
Officials told American journalists that the Pentagon had recommended providing Ukraine with white phosphorus shells in several aid packages, including the most recent one under the president's drawdown authority.
"If eventually approved, the PDA announcement would not likely list the chemical, the officials said, as has been done with previous weapons and munitions that the US has sent to Ukraine but not publicly announced," NBC reports.
Meanwhile, two US officials told reporters that concerns over the stigma surrounding white phosphorus and its potential impact on civilians prevented Biden administration officials from approving this recommendation.
It should be noted that Russian forces have used white phosphorus munitions against targets in Ukraine, including civilians. In March 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised this issue during a meeting with NATO leaders.
There have also been reports of white phosphorus being used by Russian forces near Avdiivka and during the bombing of Kramatorsk.
Earlier, AFP reported that in March last year, Russian forces used white phosphorus in the Bakhmut region, near the city of Chasiv Yar, close to residential areas.
Additionally, this week, the Biden administration is expected to announce new aid packages for Ukraine. As reported by Reuters on September 25, the US plans to announce aid for Ukraine totaling over $8 billion.
