White phosphorus shells/munitions

White phosphorus shells/munitions

Part of: Prelims and GS-II International Relations and GS-III Defence and security

Context: Russian forces were recently accused of launching phosphorus bomb attacks in the eastern region of Lugansk.

• International law prohibits the use of white phosphorus shells in heavily populated civilian areas, but allows them in open spaces to be used as cover for troops.

White phosphorus munitions

• White phosphorus munitions are weapons that use one of the common allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus.
• White phosphorus is:
  • pyrophoric (it is ignited by contact with air); 
  • burns fiercely; 
  • can ignite cloth, fuel, ammunition, and other combustibles.
• White phosphorus is a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, reacting with air to produce an immediate blanket of phosphorus pentoxide vapor. 
• Smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry.
• These create smoke screens to mask friendly forces’ movement, position, infrared signatures, and shooting positions.

Historical record of phosphorus use

• Phosphorus ammunitions have been used throughout history and in modern wars such as Iraq war, Arab-Israeli conflict as well.
• Two events are listed below:
  • There have been White phosphorus is believed to have been first used by Fenian (Irish nationalist) arsonists in the 19th century.
  • The British Army introduced the first factory-built white phosphorus grenades in late 1916 during the First World War.

News Source: TH