Volodymir Zelensky accused Russia of using phosphorus bombs in Ukraine

The President of Ukraine, Volodymir Zelensky, accused Russia before the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Thursday of using phosphorus bombs in its attacks on targets on Ukrainian territory, a month after the start of hostilities in that country.

“This morning (...) there were two phosphorus bombs. Adults and children have died again,” Zelenski said in a videoconference message during a NATO summit in Brussels.

Hours earlier, Ukrainian authorities had reported the deaths of at least four people, including two children, in attacks by Russian forces in the Luhansk region ( east), including the alleged use of phosphorus bombs, a use that was already reported on Wednesday by the mayor of the town of Irpin.

In this regard, Mayor Oleksander Markushin emphasized in a message on Telegram that the use of such weapons against civilians is a crime against humanity and that it constitutes a violation of the Geneva Conventions. Russia has not responded to the accusations so far.

For its part, the National Council for Security and Defense has published during the last few hours a guide with recommendations for action in the event of a chemical attack. “Russian channels talk daily to their audience about imaginary laboratories that supposedly create chemical weapons in Ukraine,” he said.

For its part, NATO had warned that a Russian chemical attack would change the nature of conflict and “have severe consequences”.

The Ukrainian president also expressed in his message to Brussels the call for “unrestricted military aid”, so that his country could face the Russian army, which Kiev now fights “on unequal terms”.

“To save people and our cities, Ukraine needs unfettered military aid. Just as Russia uses, without restrictions, its entire arsenal against us,” declared the president.

“On February 24, I addressed you with a logical and completely understandable request. It helps close our sky. In any format. Keep our people safe from Russian bombs and missiles. We didn't get a clear answer. Ukraine does not have powerful anti-missile weapons. It has a much smaller air force than Russia. Therefore, their advantage in heaven is the use of weapons of mass destruction,” he added, reiterating the call for the declaration of a no-fly zone, something that Western leaders have repeatedly denied in order to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia that would escalate the conflict.

“I am sure you understand that Russia has no intention of stopping in Ukraine. He doesn't think and doesn't want to. She wants to go further. Against the eastern members of NATO. The Baltic States, Poland, that's for sure. So will NATO stop thinking about it, worrying about how Russia will react? Who can be sure of this?” , Zelensky added.

(With information from AFP and Europa Press)

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