Pentagon wants to give controversial white phosphorus shells to Ukraine, White House says no

Senior Pentagon officials have recommended that the U.S. provide Ukraine with white phosphorus munitions for use on the battlefield, but the White House has rejected the idea several times, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the planning.

White phosphorus is a waxy substance that ignites instantly when exposed to oxygen. It burns at a very high temperature and is hard to extinguish. The substance sticks to surfaces — especially clothing or skin — and can cause deadly burns. The chemicals in the smoke, which often smell like garlic, can also harm lungs and eyes. 

During 20th century conflicts, including World War II and Vietnam, the U.S. used white phosphorus against enemy troops. The U.S. now uses white phosphorus in artillery shells to produce smoke and conceal troop movements and to create light and illuminate the battlefield. The Pentagon recommendation was to provide white phosphorus artillery shells to Ukraine to produce light and smoke, not for use against enemy troops.

White phosphorus munitions are not illegal and white phosphorus is not classified as a chemical weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention. But international law requires militaries who use it to distinguish between military locations and areas where civilians may be concentrated.

The Pentagon recommended providing the white phosphorus shells to Ukraine as part of several aid packages, including a recent one, as a Presidential Drawdown Authority, according to the officials. If eventually approved, the PDA announcement would not likely list the chemical, the officials said, as has been done with previous weapons and munitions that the U.S. has sent to Ukraine but not publicly announced.

Two of the officials said the stigma around white phosphorus and concerns that it could affect civilians has kept Biden administration officials from approving the recommendation.

The Pentagon and the White House National Security Council did not respond to requests for comment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using white phosphorus against civilians in Ukraine. 

“This morning, I received information that Russian troops had used phosphorus bombs against civilians in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said during a meeting of NATO leaders in March 2022. He did not provide evidence of its use and the Pentagon could not confirm its use.

Rights advocates have documented the Israeli military’s use of the chemical in the crowded Gaza Strip during Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas. The advocates say the use of the artillery shells in civilian areas is a violation of international law. Israel has not commented on the allegations.

The Biden administration is expected to announce another PDA package this week, as well as another package of assistance under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds training, equipment and advising efforts. Together the two packages could include about $5 billion in additional aid for Ukraine, U.S. officials said.