Russian troops used phosphorus munitions in the city of Popasna, Luhansk region, Head of the Regional Military Administration Serhiy Haidai reports.

"War criminals – Russian troops used phosphorus ammunition in Popasna. Crushing, destructive, ugly force. This is what the Nazis called Brennende Zwiebel [burning dome]. This is what the Rashists are now firing at our cities. Incredible suffering and fires," he wrote on the Telegram channel.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, ignited phosphorus burns at temperatures over 800 degrees Celsius, and fires can spread over large areas, up to several hundred square kilometers.

The use of such weapons can cause very severe and painful injury, or lead to a slow, painful death.

The 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Convention prohibit the use of white phosphorus munitions if civilians are endangered by doing so.