Hours after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin announced they were pulling out of Bakhmut – in eastern Ukraine – due to an insufficient supply of munitions from Moscow, Ukraine accused Russia of attacking the town with white phosphorus – a toxic chemical that when used in civilian areas it is considered a war crime.

“Not enough bombs, but more than enough phosphorus. Russians are shelling the unoccupied areas of Bahamut with incendiary munitions. They will burn in Hell,” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said in a post, also posting video footage of white phosphorous raining down on the city.

In other videos, flashes of light can be seen falling on the city and scattered fires erupting in the streets.

White phosphorus is a chemical commonly used to illuminate enemy positions because, when exploded, it produces a great glow and heat energy, and those exposed to it burn to death or suffer irreversible skin burns. The use of this weapon is prohibited by the Geneva Convention.

For example, white phosphorus bombs were used in Iraq to quell the resistance in Fallujah in 2004, causing the horrific deaths of hundreds of women and children.

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Anna Maliar said Russia wants to capture the city by May 9, the Soviet Union’s Victory Day over Nazi Germany.