KYIV, RUSSLAND: Only one day after Moscow withdrew its forces from the rocky outcrop in the Black Sea, the Ukrainian army accused Russia of conducting strikes on Snake Island using incendiary phosphorus munitions. around 18:00 today.
Using another name for Snake Island, Zmiinyi island, it was struck twice by phosphorus bombs fired from Russian air force SU-30 aircraft, according to a statement.
The retreat was termed as “a gesture of goodwill” by the Russian defence ministry on Thursday in an effort to show that Moscow won’t obstruct UN plans to organise protected grain exports from Ukraine.
On Friday, the Ukrainian army charged that the Russians were incapable of “respecting even their own declarations.”A video that showed a plane dropping bombs on the island at least twice as well as what seemed to be white streaks rising above it was attached to the statement.
An international treaty forbids the use of phosphorus weapons—incendiary weapons that produce a distinctive white trail in the sky—against civilians, but permits their use against military objectives. Since invading its neighbour in late February, Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of using them, notably in civilian areas.
Moscow has refuted these claims. According to Ukraine, a barrage of artillery and missile fire forced the Russians to leave the island.
