Ukraine has accused Russia of using phosphorus bombs in bombing Ukraine’s Snake Island in the Black Sea.
The commander in chief of the Ukrainian army made the accusation on Telegram. He also showed video footage. According to him, it concerns Russian fighter jets that fly from the Crimea to Snake Island and drop phosphorus bombs.
Phosphorus bombs are incendiary bombs that spread fire by explosion. The use of the bombs is considered by some to be a war crime. Others argue that it falls into a gray area of the laws of war. Under certain conditions you would be allowed to use phosphor bombs.
Ukraine recaptured Snake Island earlier this week, Ukrainian authorities say. Russia has a different reading. That country says it left the island as a goodwill gesture. Ukraine believes the Russians used the island to intercept radio traffic.
Snake Island is 660 meters long and 440 meters wide and has a strategic location. Ships stationed there can, for example, block access to Ukrainian ports. The Russian army took it at the start of the war, but abandoned it on Thursday.
Uncertainty about the reason for the departure of Russians
Ukraine is said to have driven the Russians from the island with artillery guns. According to Kyiv, the bombings from Russia are now a clear signal that the Russians have not voluntarily left Snake Island.
Moscow still denies that, claiming that Russia has left so that Ukraine can export grain and other goods. The island is difficult to defend due to a lack of trees. According to experts, the Russians no longer saw any good in the island, because all goals would have been achieved there, and so they let Ukraine take over.
It is unclear why Russia is bombing the island again.
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