Pentagon recommended Biden to give Ukraine ammunition with white phosphorus for war with the Russian Federation - NBC

Journalists explained that the White House has repeatedly rejected this idea because of fears that white phosphorus could affect civilian population, although the substance itself is not a chemical weapon under international conventions. Pentagon high -ranking officials were recommended by US Presidential Administration Joe Baiden to provide Ukraine with white phosphorus to Ukraine for use on battlefield. This was reported by NBC with reference to the words of three unnamed American officials.

"Pentagon recommended to provide Ukraine with white phosphorus shells as part of several help packages, including recent," the material reads. Journalists have specified that these artillery shells with white phosphorus Ukraine could use to create light and smoke, not against Russian occupation troops. The authors of the material indicated that the White House has repeatedly rejected the idea because of fears that white phosphorus could affect the civilian population.

According to the NBC interlocutors, if this decision is approved, then the provision of this chemical to Ukraine will not be notified, just as it was with previous weapons and ammunition that the United States was sent to Ukraine but did not declare it publicly. The Pentagon and the White House National Security Council did not respond to journalists' requests for comments. NBC journalists explained that white phosphorus ammunition is not illegal.

In addition, white phosphorus is not classified as chemical weapons under the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. But international law requires the military who use it to distinguish between military objects and areas where the civilian population can be concentrated. White phosphorus is a waxy substance that instantly flashes under the influence of oxygen. It burns at a very high temperature and is difficult to extinguish it.

The substance sticks to the surfaces - especially to clothing or skin - and can cause fatal burns. Chemicals in smoke, which often smells of garlic, can also harm the lungs and eyes. The United States use white phosphorus in artillery shells to create smoke and hide troops, as well as to create light and lighting the battlefield.