Russian Troops Said Phosphorus Bombs Used In Lugansk Attack, White House Warns Moscow

The impact of the Russian attack on Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/dsns.gov.ua/State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

JAKARTA - Human rights monitors have called Russia's use of banned phosphorus bombs in its attack on the town of Popasna in the eastern Lugansk region, calling it a war crime.

He shared photos purported to show the alleged attack, but did not say whether Ukraine had any real evidence. Reuters could not immediately verify any reports.

Liudmila Denisova shared photos purported to show the alleged attack that took place Saturday evening local time, but did not say whether Ukraine had any real evidence.

"The bombing of a civilian city by Russian assailants with these weapons is a war crime and a crime against humanity, according to the Rome convention," she said in an online statement.

Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian police officer also accused Russian troops of carrying out a phosphorus bomb attack in the eastern region of Lugansk.

Oleksi Biloshytsky, the police chief in Popasna, about 60 miles west of the city of Lugansk, said late Saturday Russian forces had used chemical weapons in his area.

'That's what the Nazis called the 'flaming onion' and that's what the Russians are dropping on our cities. The suffering and fires are indescribable," he wrote on Facebook, according to the Daily Mail, although the comments could not immediately be verified.

In this regard, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned Moscow would pay a "high price" if it was confirmed to use chemical weapons in a conflict with Ukraine.

Sullivan told CBS Russian President Vladimir Putin was forced to use this weapon because his troops were not advancing as fast as he had predicted.

To note, phosphorus ammunition can be legally used in war to provide lighting, create smoke screens or set fire to buildings. However, international law prohibits the use of white phosphorus casings in densely populated civilian areas.