Military review and politics. Inhumane weapons: what is white phosphorus and why is it still used? Phosphorus shells

In the second half of the 20th century, the main type of phosphorus ammunition became ammunition filled with plasticized white phosphorus (with the addition of synthetic rubber), which over time replaced ammunition filled with white phosphorus.

In addition, white phosphorus can be used as an igniter or incendiary enhancer in ammunition with a combined charge of phosphorus and other incendiary substances or fuels (an example is the US napalm incendiary bombs used during the Vietnam War, individual types aerial bombs contained up to 30% white phosphorus).

White phosphorus spontaneously ignites at temperatures of 34-40 °C, so phosphorus ammunition is demanding in terms of storage conditions.

Action

When burning, white phosphorus reaches temperatures up to 1300 °C. The combustion temperature of phosphorus ammunition depends on a number of conditions (type of ammunition used, air temperature and humidity, etc.) and is 900-1200 °C. The combustion temperature of incendiary ammunition with a charge of white phosphorus and a flammable substance is 800-900 °C. Combustion is accompanied by a profuse release of thick, acrid white smoke and continues until all phosphorus burns out or until oxygen supply ceases.

Phosphorus munitions cause damage to openly located and hidden personnel and disable equipment and weapons. The use of phosphorus ammunition also leads to the occurrence of fires and individual fires, which divert forces and resources to extinguish them, cause additional material damage, complicate movement, limit visibility, while the suffocating and poisonous gases formed in the fires become additional damaging factor.

If it comes into contact with human skin, burning white phosphorus causes severe burns.

White phosphorus is poisonous, lethal dose for humans is 0.05-0.15 grams. White phosphorus is highly soluble in body fluids and, when ingested, is quickly absorbed (red phosphorus is insoluble and therefore relatively low-toxic).

Acute poisoning occurs when white phosphorus vapor is inhaled and (or) when it enters the gastrointestinal tract. Poisoning is characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, glow-in-the-dark vomit that smells like garlic, and diarrhea. Another symptom of acute white phosphorus poisoning is heart failure.

The use of phosphorus ammunition is demoralizing psychological impact.

International agreements governing the use of phosphorus munitions

The development, testing, transportation, trade, use and disposal of phosphorus ammunition are carried out taking into account a number of international agreements and treaties, including:

On international level Attempts to limit the use of chemical and incendiary weapons during wars and military conflicts were made at the turn of the 1920s-1930s during the League of Nations Conference on Arms Reduction and Limitation. The intention was recorded in the text of the conference resolution, developed on July 9, 1932 and adopted on July 23, 1932. However, the deterioration of the international situation in the mid-1930s led to the termination of the conference in January 1936.

Combat use

Phosphorus munitions (including missiles, hand grenades, artillery shells and aerial bombs) were used during the First World War.

Phosphorus munitions (including artillery shells and aerial bombs) were used during World War II. Thus, the Luftwaffe was armed with a 185-kg aerial bomb Brand C 250 A, equipped with 65 kg of white phosphorus.

In the summer of 1940, the British Army began production of "glass incendiary grenades", which were used as hand grenades or for firing from Northover Projector grenade launchers, and in 1943, production of hand grenades "No. 77, W.P. Mk. 1" began.

In July-August 2006, during the Second Lebanon War, the Israeli army used phosphorus munitions (in particular, artillery shells and white phosphorus bombs) in Lebanon. Subsequently, Israel denied the use of ball bombs and phosphorus ammunition - until their use was proven by UNIFIL military experts. Lebanese President Emile Lahoud issued a statement that civilians were injured as a result of the Israelis using phosphorus shells. After this, a representative of the Israeli government issued a statement that phosphorus shells were used “only on military targets.” Minister for Knesset Relations Yaakov Edri said that the use of phosphorus munitions by Israel is not a violation of the norms international law, since Israel and the United States did not sign the third protocol of the 1983 Geneva Convention.

In 2016 American troops used white phosphorus munitions in operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq to create screens and send signals Related Islamic State The Amak agency published a video of US Air Force strikes with white phosphorus ammunition on the village. Hajin, held by jihadists.

Protection against phosphorus ammunition

Protection against phosphorus munitions is based on the general principles of protection against incendiary weapons.

Experience of wars of the 1950s-1980s in the Middle East and South-East Asia, during which phosphorus ammunition was used, indicates that the effectiveness of any incendiary weapon is significantly reduced in cases where people in the area of use of this weapon have knowledge of the damaging factors of this weapon, know how to properly defend themselves against them, fight fire, and remain calm , discipline and moral and psychological stability. Panic is a factor that can increase the number of victims.

Phosphorus munitions are extinguished big amount water or copper sulfate; in the future, the extinguishing site should be covered with a large amount of wet sand. If there is no sand, the fire extinguishing area should be covered with dry soil.

Important Feature phosphorus ammunition - an aerosol of concentrated orthophosphoric acid, irritating the nasopharynx - a property of sternite, chemical weapons.

Notes

« White phosphorus is poisonous … White phosphorus has been used for military purposes as a source of smoke and to fill incidental shells and grenades»
Phosphorus (P) // The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 15th edition. Micropaedia. Vol.9. Chicago, 1994. pp.397-398
Incendiary substances // Soviet military encyclopedia. / ed. N.V. Ogarkov. Volume 3. M., Military Publishing House, 1977. pp. 366-367
Incendiary substances // Military encyclopedic Dictionary. / ed. coll., ch. ed. S. F. Akhromeev. 2nd ed. M., Voenizdat, 1986. p.261
R. A. Gulyansky, H. E. Kalvan, Yu. N. Kovalevsky, B. K. Mazanov. Protecting the population from modern weapons. Riga, Avots, 1989. pp.48-50
Major D. Volk. Phosphorus ammunition // “Foreign Military Review”, No. 7 (808), July 2014. p.55
Yu. G. Veremeev. Mines: yesterday, today, tomorrow. Minsk, " Modern school", 2008. p. 344
I. D. Grabovoi, V. K. Kadyuk. Incendiary weapons and protection against them. M., Voenizdat, 1983. p.22
I. D. Grabovoi, V. K. Kadyuk. Incendiary weapons and protection against them. M., Voenizdat, 1983. p.21
I. D. Grabovoi, V. K. Kadyuk. Incendiary weapons and protection against them. M., Voenizdat, 1983. p.12
A. N. Ardashev. Flamethrower and incendiary weapons: an illustrated guide. M., LLC publishing house "Astrel"; LLC publishing house "AST", 2001. pp. 79-80
Phosphorus // Chemical encyclopedia (5 vols.) / editorial coll., ch. ed. N. S. Zefirov. volume 5. M., scientific publishing house "Big Russian Encyclopedia", 1998. p.144-147
I. D. Grabovoi, V. K. Kadyuk. Incendiary weapons and protection against them. M., Voenizdat, 1983. p.3
« White phosphorus is poisonous, in air at a temperature of approx. 40 °C self-ignites»
Phosphorus // Great Soviet Encyclopedia. / ed. A. M. Prokhorova. 3rd ed. volume 27. M., “Soviet Encyclopedia”, 1977. p.561-563
« White P is highly toxic; hot P causes severe burns»
Phosphorus // Chemical encyclopedic dictionary / editorial coll., ch. ed. I. L. Knunyants. M., “Soviet Encyclopedia”, 1983. p.628-629
« During the first (1914-18) and second (1939-45) world wars, white F. were equipped with incendiary bombs and artillery shells»
Phosphorus // Great Soviet Encyclopedia. / ed. coll., ch. ed. B. A. Vvedensky. 2nd ed. volume 45. M., State scientific publishing house "Big Soviet Encyclopedia", 1956. p.344-346
Laws and customs of war // M. Yu. Tikhomirov, L. V. Tikhomirova. Legal encyclopedia. 6th ed., trans. and additional M., 2009. p.345
The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons(English) . the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). - “The Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects as amended on December 21, 2001(CCW) is usually referred to as the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. It is also known as the Inhumane Weapons Convention." Retrieved October 14, 2014.
Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Cause Excessive Injury or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (Russian). un.org/ru. - “The Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons That May Be Deemed to Cause Excessive Injury or to Have Indiscriminate Effects is often also referred to as the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons or the Inhumane Weapons Convention (CCW). Retrieved October 15, 2014.
I. A. Khormach. Return to global community. The struggle and cooperation of the Soviet state with the League of Nations in 1919-1934. Monograph. M., “Kuchkovo Pole”, 2011. p.420-469
I. D. Grabovoi, V. K. Kadyuk. Incendiary weapons and protection against them. M., Voenizdat, 1983. pp.5-7
A. N. Ardashev. Flamethrower and incendiary weapons: an illustrated guide. M., LLC publishing house "Astrel"; LLC publishing house "AST", 2001. p.143-145
A. de Quesada, P. Jowett, R. Bujeiro. The Chaco War 1932-35. South America's greatest modern conflict. London, Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2011. page 8
Yu. G. Veremeev. Mines: yesterday, today, tomorrow. Minsk, “Modern School”, 2008. p.232-233
Volnov, L. L. Lebanon: echo of aggression. - M.: Politizdat, 1984. - P. 52-54.
High-quality black and white photographs of an unexploded artillery shell with clearly visible markings: The people cannot be defeated! Photo album / comp. V. F. Zharov. - M.: Planet, 1983. - P. 24-25.
[USA - Nicaragua] Waging a chemical war // Izvestia: newspaper. - No. 116 (20827). - April 25, 1984. - P. 4.
Stroev, A. P. Nicaraguan essays. Along the path of socio-economic revival. - M.:International Relations, 1989. - P. 74.

Many had to learn about phosphorus bombs from news releases when the latest sad events in Ukraine were described. There are several types of weapons, the main part of which is white phosphorus - a self-igniting substance that burns in air and, together with a number of incendiary substances, becomes a dangerous “filling” for ammunition.

Types of ammunition with phosphorus

All phosphorus ammunition can be divided into groups:

hand grenades;
air bombs;
rockets and rockets;
mortar mines;
artillery shells;
air tanks

Under normal conditions, white phosphorus can be kept in reserve for a long time without any reaction, however, certain conditions must be observed, the main one of which is that the air temperature should not rise above 34-40 degrees.

What is white phosphorus

The substance with which the shells are filled is itself hard and poisonous. A dose of 0.1 g is lethal for humans. Such specific effects of the substance on the human body made it the basis for the creation of many types of especially dangerous weapons.

How does phosphorus ammunition work?

Phosphorus bombs are extremely dangerous because during combustion the temperature of the active substance reaches 1200 degrees, but it depends on the type of ammunition, ambient temperature and humidity. In this case, during the combustion process, acrid, thick white smoke is released, which does not stop until all the phosphorus burns out or the access to oxygen is blocked.

In addition, phosphorus itself is a toxic substance. It can cause bone and bone marrow damage and tissue death. A person who enters the affected area of such a bomb risks fatal injuries and burns of large area and depth.

Even if a medical specialist is nearby, he must first undergo special training, otherwise he may also receive a phosphorus burn during the treatment of the wound.

Video: phosphorus bomb explosion

Psychological aspect

The principle of operation of such weapons is not only to kill or maim a person, but also to inflict enormous psychological trauma. A person struck by such a weapon and the people next to him are forced to watch how the skin is charred, and when inhaling concentrated smoke, how people die from burning out their lungs.

Ban on the use of phosphorus bombs Currently, phosphorus bombs and other types of weapons containing phosphorus are prohibited according to international agreements

from 1868, 1949 and 1980. Despite numerous attempts to completely ban the use of such weapons, the agreements were constantly violated. During the First and Second World Wars, bombs and hand grenades filled with white phosphorus were used by the Irish, Germans, British, Americans and Koreans. According to some reports, this type of weapon was also used in Ukraine in 2014, but its use was not confirmed by material evidence - victims with characteristic burns, numerous fires, and so on.

How to protect yourself

If a phosphorus bomb explodes within a radius of several kilometers, you can protect yourself from ammunition by relying on general principles protection against incendiary weapons. According to military psychologists, the chances of not being injured increase if people remain clear-headed and try not to panic.

The consequences of the explosion of such a bomb - numerous fires - must be quickly eliminated, that is, extinguish the fire with plenty of water or cover it with wet sand. To prepare for liquidation of the consequences, it is also worth stocking up on copper sulfate, and in the absence of any available means, simply cover the fire with dry earth. Such actions will block the access of oxygen, which means phosphorus will stop burning.

How to deal with the consequences

Before embarking on actions aimed at saving a person, it is necessary to make sure that the cause is indeed phosphorus bombs and the substances they contain. Such burns have a specific smell of garlic, the skin around them smokes and chars.

First of all, an aseptic bandage is applied to the extinguished burn to prevent inflammation and infection. Next, all measures are taken to prevent painful shock with the subsequent evacuation of the person from the affected area. During the cold season, it is not recommended to remove the victim’s clothing so as not to increase the shock.

Using any medications without preliminary analysis a person’s condition is permissible only if the doctor knows for sure that the medicine is more likely to help than harm.

However, experts strongly recommend not to provide assistance to the victim if the person does not know what to do with such injuries.

Video: phosphorus bomb

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

Since then, the “humanity” of this or that weapon has become the subject of serious discussion, and the debate is often about white phosphorus. Over the years of their existence, phosphorus bombs (and other ammunition) have become both commonly used weapons and semi-prohibited means of warfare.

Properties of matter

Phosphorus in nature exists in 4 modifications, and the main interest for military affairs is the so-called “white phosphorus”. This waxy substance can spontaneously ignite when interacting with oxygen, and the combustion temperature reaches 1300 degrees Celsius.

Actually, the principle of operation of ammunition comes down to dispersing phosphorus outward. When burned, it also produces thick and poisonous white smoke.

When particles of a burning substance come into contact with the skin, they cause deep third-degree burns and continue to burn until oxygen access to them is cut off.

Other possible consequences– poisoning. The substance was discovered back in the 15th century, and its flammability was also established at that time. But to develop ways of obtaining industrial scale succeeded only in the 19th century. It should be noted that another modification of the substance - red phosphorus - is also used in incendiary weapons, but on a smaller scale and is non-toxic. “Yellow” is the name given to a poorly purified white modification.

History of application

It is believed that white phosphorus was first used in incendiary devices by the Fenians, Irish republicans of the late 19th century. But phosphorus bombs (and other ammunition) really began to be used on a large scale during the First World War. Thus, incendiary grenades began to arrive in British troops already in 1916. At the same time, bullets loaded with phosphorus were developed for aviation and anti-aircraft machine guns (for example, the British Buckingham bullet of .303 caliber).

Incendiary smoke bombs were also used in World War II. During the Normandy landings, for example, 20% of the 81 mm mortar shells used by the Americans were filled with phosphorus. American tanks, if they could not knock out heavy German armored vehicles, used smoke shells to “blind” the crews, and in some cases, smoke them out of the tanks.

Phosphorus did not go unnoticed in the Soviet Union either. In dissolved form, it was part of the KS incendiary fluid, which was used in anti-tank bottles (“Molotov cocktail”) and in ampoules of AF dropped from aircraft. Armor-piercing incendiary bullets BZF of 12.7 mm caliber were also developed. And for 120 mm mortars they created a TR incendiary mine, filled not only with phosphorus, but also with thermite.

In the post-war years, incendiary bombs continued to be actively used in Korea and Vietnam.

For example, the American M34 grenade became famous, which could not only be thrown by hand, but also fired from a rifle grenade launcher. Phosphorus was also used as an auxiliary agent - for example, to ignite napalm tanks.

Modernity

In 1977, an additional protocol to the Geneva Convention prohibited the use of phosphorus-filled munitions where they could harm civilians. After this, such weapons are usually not talked about as incendiary. Officially, it is considered smoke, and the incendiary effect is considered a side effect.

The protocol did not stop the use of “smoke” ammunition - they were used by the British in the Falklands, the Israelis in Lebanon, according to some reports - and Russian troops in Chechnya. However " legal status"of this weapon made it possible to use any information about its presence as a reason to accuse the warring party of war crimes.

Thus, in 2004, American troops used smoke shells and aerial bombs to suppress Iraqi positions in Fallujah. This resulted in a scandal in which it was alleged that incendiary weapons were deliberately used against civilians.

In 2006, the Lebanese accused Israel of using smoke bombs against civilians.

Of course, the Israelis, for their part, stated that they only used them against military targets. Later, human rights activists accused the Israelis of using phosphorus to shell Palestinian territories. Tellingly, homemade Palestinian incendiary devices did not raise any questions from human rights activists.

In 2014, information appeared about the use of phosphorus bombs in Donbass. It was stated that Ukrainian government troops were using them against civilians in Novorossiya. Some experts, however, concluded that the evidence used was footage showing the 2004 bombings of Fallujah. At the same time, the fact that both warring parties had incendiary (“smoke”) ammunition was not disputed by anyone.

Currently, weapons containing white phosphorus continue to be used in Syria, as well as in Yemen.

Performance characteristics

Let's consider some parameters of various “smoke” ammunition in service with the United States and Russia.

	60 mm mine M722A1	81 mm M375A3 mine	155 mm M110 projectile	82 mm mine 53-D832	120 mm mine 53-D-843	122 mm 3D4 projectile
Total weight, kg	1,72	4,24	44,63	3,46	16,5	21,7
Charge weight, kg	0,35	0,7	7,08	0,4	1,9	-

It is worth noting that in Russia the VG-40-MD round was created for 40 mm under-barrel grenade launchers. The substance with which it is equipped is not directly named, but the ability to simultaneously create a “smoke screen and fires” makes one think of white phosphorus.

There is also a “smoke” version of the Shmel jet flamethrower - RPO-D. As stated, it not only puts up a smoke screen, but also creates “fires” and “unbearable conditions for manpower.” The composition of the smoke-forming substance is also not specified. The caution is understandable.

In Bulgaria, RSMK-7MA smoke shot is produced for RPG-7 type grenade launchers, but it is loaded with red phosphorus. They are also used to equip Bulgarian RLV-SMK-4 ammunition for NATO-standard under-barrel grenade launchers.

So, during the 20th century, phosphorus bombs also became a means of waging information wars.

Now the desire to use effective weapon was limited by the risk of compromising oneself and being harshly condemned by the “international community.”

At the same time, we must remember that if soldiers are ready to kill and torture civilians, they can cope without “lighters.” And declarations and conventions are good as long as both parties are willing to adhere to their terms, or at least fear responsibility.

Video

In the second half of the 20th century, chemical weapons became a cheap alternative to nuclear weapons for third world countries, where various kinds of authoritarian regimes came to power. Chemical weapons on the battlefield are valuable only if they are used on a massive scale. For this purpose, cluster bombs, airborne pouring devices, jet systems volley fire, large masses of cannon artillery.

Combat units pose a particular threat ballistic missiles, equipped with toxic substances when used in major cities. In this case, the number of casualties among civilians could reach tens of thousands.

Model of a chemical cluster warhead of an operational-tactical missile

The threat of use against civilians least protected from chemical warfare agents, lack of selectivity, unnecessary suffering caused by chemical weapons, and the end of " cold war“- all this led to the conclusion in 1993 of the international Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which entered into force on April 29, 1997.

But the main reason for the abandonment of chemical arsenals in the United States and Russia was that chemical weapons created for the “big war” became too troublesome and expensive, with no obvious advantages over conventional weapons. Specially trained storage facilities and specialists were required; containers with mustard gas and lewisite, filled during the Second World War, were corroded and unsafe; a lot of pressure was put on the military in the form of negative public opinion, as a result, maintaining the BOV became too burdensome for the military.

Besides, in modern conditions When the risk of global war fell to a minimum, nuclear weapons became abundantly available as a means of deterring a potential enemy.

As is known, the largest volumes of chemical warfare agents were in Russia (40 thousand tons of toxic substances) and the USA (28,572 tons of toxic substances). The majority (32,200 tons) of military poisons accumulated in the USSR were FOV: sarin, soman, an analogue of VX, and the remainder included blister poisons: mustard gas, lewisite and their mixtures.

In the USSR, nerve agents were loaded into ammunition casings ready for use. Mustard gas and lewisite were almost entirely stored in containers; only 2% of lewisite was in ammunition. About 40% of mustard-lewisite mixtures in the USSR were stored in ammunition.

In the USA, more than 60% of chemical warfare agents (mustard gas and mixtures based on it, VX, sarin) were in containers, the rest in filled ammunition. To date, the parties have practically completed the destruction of their chemical arsenals, which was confirmed by mutual inspections of enterprises where disposal was carried out and storage areas for chemically active substances.

Preparation for disposal of 250 kg of chemical bombs

The Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force on April 29, 1997, was joined by 188 countries.. Eight states remained outside the Convention, two of which—Israel and Myanmar—signed the Convention but did not ratify it. Six more countries - Angola, Egypt, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, South Sudan - have not signed. Today, the largest reserves of toxic substances belong to North Korea, which, of course, causes concern among neighbors.

Among the world community there is a well-founded fear of chemical weapons and their complete rejection as a barbaric means of armed struggle. The presence of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic almost became a reason for the West to unleash aggression against this country. In Syria, the presence of chemical arsenals and delivery systems was considered as a kind of insurance against an attack by Israel, which has nuclear weapon. In 2012, the Syrian military had at its disposal about 1,300 tons of military agents, as well as more than 1,200 unfilled bombs, missiles and shells. In the past, accusations by the Iraqi leadership of the presence of weapons of mass destruction have already become a formal pretext for an attack on this state by Western countries led by the United States.

With the mediation of Russia, on September 13, 2013, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad signed an act on the renunciation of chemical weapons, their complete disposal and subsequent ratification by Syria of the Chemical Weapons Convention in full. On June 23, 2014, it was announced that the last batch of chemical warfare agents had been removed from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic for subsequent destruction. On January 4, 2016, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announced the complete destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

It would seem that the topic of Syrian toxic substances should be closed, but in Western media Materials have been repeatedly published about the alleged use of poison gas by Syrian government forces. Indeed, international experts have repeatedly recorded evidence of the use of nerve agents in Syria. At the same time, the number of victims numbered dozens. Western countries as always, they rushed to blame the regular Syrian army for all the sins, but detailed studies of the places where toxic substances were used showed that homemade shells were filled with the sarin toxic substance. In addition, during a laboratory examination of fragments of ammunition filled with sarin, it turned out that this substance was of low purity and contained a large amount of foreign substances chemical compounds, which clearly indicates the non-industrial, artisanal nature of production.

In July 2013, information appeared about the discovery in Iraq of several clandestine laboratories where Islamists were working on creating toxic substances. It can be assumed with a high degree of probability that homemade rockets filled with sarin entered Syria from neighboring Iraq. In this regard, it is worth recalling the detention by Turkish intelligence services in the summer of 2013 of Syrian militants who were trying to transfer containers with sarin across the Turkish-Syrian border, and the phones with video recordings of terrorists testing toxic substances on rabbits that were found in the possession of killed Islamists.

Syrian representatives have repeatedly shown video footage of illegal laboratories for the production of chemical warfare agents captured from terrorists. Apparently, the militants’ provocations with sarin failed, and it was not possible to accuse government troops of using chemical weapons against the “civilian population.” However, terrorists do not give up their attempts to use toxic substances. In this regard, Syria serves as a kind of testing ground for them.

The production of sarin and equipping ammunition with it requires sufficient technological and laboratory equipment high level. In addition, an unauthorized release of sarin is fraught with very serious consequences for the “laboratory technicians” themselves. In this regard, according to Russian media, militants in Lately They use chemical ammunition filled with chlorine, mustard gas and white phosphorus. If the first two substances, although with certain restrictions, which will be discussed below, can really be considered poisonous, then how did he get into this company? white phosphorus, is completely unclear. However, the issue is most likely due to the ignorance of journalists who undertake to cover the issue of chemical weapons and the ongoing information and psychological war.

Perhaps for the average person who does not understand the difference between mustard gas and white phosphorus, everything is the same, but for people who have ideas about weapons of mass destruction or at least knowledge school course chemistry, classifying phosphorus as a military poison is simply ridiculous. White phosphorus is indeed poisonous and, when burned, produces smoke, which when combined with water turns into a strong acid, but it is impossible to poison a significant number of people with phosphorus or its combustion products within a short time. Suffocating smoke is only a minor damaging factor. However, anyone who has been to artillery firing or in a full-scale combat zone will confirm that gunpowder smoke and TNT fumes do not add health benefits either.

The damaging effect of phosphorus ammunition is based on the tendency of white phosphorus to spontaneously ignite in the open air, its combustion temperature depending on additional components incendiary projectile is 900-1200° C, and it is impossible to extinguish it with water. There are several types of phosphorus ammunition: aerial bombs, artillery shells, rockets for MLRS, mortar mines, hand grenades. Some of them are designed to provide a smoke screen, since phosphorus produces thick white smoke when burned.

For example, white phosphorus is used in the “Tucha” smoke grenade launcher, installed on domestic armored vehicles, but no one considers it a chemical weapon. In service Soviet army consisted of incendiary bombs, as well as shells and mines, where the igniting element was white phosphorus.

The moment of explosion of a phosphorus grenade

White phosphorus was used on a noticeable scale during the First World War, then all warring parties actively used phosphorus bombs, mines and shells during the Second World War. For example, in the USSR, a solution of white phosphorus in carbon disulfide (self-flammable liquid KS) was used to fill glass bottles and ampoules used against German tanks. In the post-war period, incendiary phosphorus ammunition was available in the armies of all militarily developed countries and was repeatedly used as a powerful weapon. incendiary in combat.

The first attempt to limit the use of phosphorus munitions was made in 1977 under the Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Convention for the Protection of Victims of War. These documents prohibit the use of white phosphorus ammunition if it puts civilians in danger. However, the United States and Israel did not sign them. When used against military targets located "in or around populated areas", weapons containing white phosphorus, according to international agreements (Protocol III to the 2006 Geneva Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons), are prohibited for use. It is in this context that the use of phosphorus shells and mines in populated areas by the Syrian armed opposition should be considered.

Unlike white phosphorus, chlorine indeed recognized as a chemical warfare agent with an asphyxiating effect. Under normal conditions, it is a greenish-yellow gas that is heavier than air, causing it to spread along the ground and can accumulate in folds and basements. However, in order to achieve a significant combat effect with chlorine, the use of this gas must be carried out on a large scale. During World War I, chlorine was mainly used using the gas cylinder method. Equipment for them artillery shells and the mine was considered ineffective, since creating the required gas concentration in the area required a simultaneous salvo of hundreds of guns large caliber. Why terrorists fill shells with it is unclear, because they do not have at their disposal hundreds of heavy artillery barrels concentrated on a narrow section of the front.

When using shells, mines and missiles individually, equipping them with conventional explosives gives a much greater damaging effect. In addition, chlorine, due to its chemical activity, destroys the metal walls of shells filled with it in artisanal conditions, which leads to leakage and limits the shelf life of such ammunition.

A much more dangerous toxic substance compared to chlorine is mustard gas. For a long time, mustard gas, also known as “mustard gas,” was considered the “king” of chemical warfare agents. At a temperature of 20° C, mustard gas is a liquid. Due to the fact that mustard gas evaporates very slowly under normal conditions, it is able to maintain its damaging effect for several days, contaminating the area for a long time. Mustard gas is chemically stable and can be stored in metal containers for long periods of time, and it is cheap to produce.

Mustard gas is called a skin blister poison, since the main damage occurs when exposed to the skin. But this substance acts slowly: if a drop of mustard gas is removed from the skin no later than 3-4 minutes and the area is treated with a neutralizing compound, then there may not be any damage. When affected by mustard gas, painful sensations - itching and redness - do not appear immediately, but after 3-8 hours, and blisters appear on the second day.

The damaging effect of mustard gas strongly depends on the temperature at which it is used. IN hot weather Mustard gas poisoning occurs much faster than in cold weather. This is explained by the fact that with increasing temperature, the rate of evaporation of mustard gas quickly increases, and sweaty skin is more susceptible to the damaging effects of its vapors than dry skin. With a severe degree of damage, blisters form on the skin, and then deep and long-lasting ulcers appear in their place. Healing of ulcers can take from several weeks to several months. Besides skin Mustard gas can have a toxic effect when its vapors are inhaled.

Large concentrations of mustard gas vapor in the air can cause general poisoning of the body, nausea, vomiting, fever, cardiac dysfunction, changes in blood composition, loss of consciousness and death. But the lethality of mustard gas poisoning in combat conditions is low (several percent). In this regard, many experts in the field of chemical warfare agents classify mustard gas as a “crippling” toxic substance: a significant part of those affected by the effects of this poison remained disabled for life.

Compared to nerve agents, mustard gas is quite easy to obtain in several ways and does not require complex laboratory and technological equipment. Components for manufacturing are available and inexpensive. Mustard gas was first produced in 1822. In the recent history of Russia, cases of mustard gas production at home have been recorded. It is quite predictable that the Syrian “barmalei” showed great interest in this BOV. However, the militants do not have the necessary means to competently use mustard gas. Mustard gas, compared to FOV, requires more massive use to achieve combat effectiveness. Aircraft pouring devices are best suited for spraying mustard gas. In this case, infection is possible large areas. When equipping artillery shells, mines and rockets with mustard gas, an indecently large number of shots must be fired to achieve the same effect.

It is clear that the Islamists do not have aviation and a large number artillery systems and significant reserves of mustard gas. Shells containing this substance can be used in urban environments to dislodge the enemy from their positions, because being in a hotbed of infection, albeit a slow-acting one toxic substance deadly. But in any case, the use of single ammunition with mustard gas, as we observed during the battles for Aleppo, cannot bring any military benefit. On the contrary, the use of military poisons in urban areas takes those who use them beyond the rules of engagement and turns them into war criminals. It is difficult to say whether the “armed opposition fighters” understand this. As practice shows, extremists and militant religious fanatics are capable of taking any step to achieve their goals.

Under current conditions, the chemical weapons at the disposal of the armed Syrian opposition, due to their small numbers and the impossibility of proper use, are not capable of influencing the course of hostilities. However, toxic substances as sabotage and terrorist weapons are of great interest to various terrorist groups and extremist organizations. Toxic substances pose a particularly great threat in the event of chemical attack in a large metropolitan area with a highly concentrated population.

One can recall the sarin attack in the Tokyo subway on March 20, 1995, carried out by members of the Aum Shinrikyo sect. Then they quietly placed liter bags of liquid sarin on the floor of the cars and pierced them as they left the car. 13 people were fatally poisoned; in total, more than 5,500 people were injured. The poisoning was caused by sarin vapor, but if the terrorists had managed to spray it, the number of victims would have been immeasurably greater.

At the same time, despite the accession of most states to the Chemical Weapons Convention, research in this area has not stopped. Outside the scope of the agreement were many groups of substances that are not formally classified as chemical pesticides, but have properties similar to them. Currently, “law enforcement agencies” are widely using irritants– tear and irritant substances.

At certain concentrations, irritants, sprayed in the form of an aerosol or smoke, cause intolerable irritation of the respiratory system and eyes, as well as the skin of the entire body. This group of substances was not included in chemical weapons as defined in the text of the 1993 Chemical Convention. The convention only calls on its participants not to use chemicals of this group during hostilities. However, the newest irritants, due to their high efficiency, can be used as functional analogues of toxic substances with asphyxiating effects. If tear and irritant gases are used in combination with emetics - substances that cause uncontrollable vomiting - enemy soldiers will not be able to use gas masks.

Among the non-prohibited drugs, the closest to nerve agents in terms of the nature of their damage are narcotic analgesics - derivatives of morphine and fentanyl. In small concentrations they cause an immobilizing effect. At higher dosages, the most active narcotic analgesics achieve the effect of nerve agents in their level of action, and, if necessary, are quite capable of replacing non-conventional chemical warfare agents.

The case of the use of narcotic analgesics associated with the terrorist hostage taking on October 26, 2002 at Dubrovka in Moscow, also known as “Nord-Ost,” received wide resonance. During the special operation, according to the official statement of the FSB, a “special recipe based on fentanyl derivatives” was used in Dubrovka. Experts from the Laboratory of Scientific and Technological Basic Safety in Salisbury (UK) believe that the aerosol consisted of two analgesics - carfentanil and remifentanil. Although the operation ended with the destruction of all the terrorists and an explosion was avoided, of the 916 hostages captured, according to official data, 130 people died as a result of exposure to the gas.

It is safe to say that, despite the declared renunciation of chemical weapons, toxic substances have been, are being and will be used as weapons. However, from a means of destruction on the battlefield, they turned into a tool for “pacifying” the protesting masses and a tool for conducting secret operations.