Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oskana Markarova, warned last Monday that “Russia has launched thermobaric bombs”, which cause high-temperature explosions and are prohibited by the Geneva Convention .
As progress in Ukraine stalls, hypotheses are growing that the Russian military could use thermobaric weapons, although such information has not been officially confirmed.
The weapon, also known as a “vacuum bomb”, is considered one of the most devastating in Russia’s military arsenal and is capable of inflicting significant civilian casualties.
“They used the vacuum pump,” Markarova said after a meeting with lawmakers in the US Congress. “The devastation that Russia is trying to inflict on Ukraine is great.”
70 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in Okhtyrka, Sumy region, due to military unit shelling. Earlier that day, occupants hit an oil depot in Okhtyrka with a vacuum bomb known as the most deadly non-nuclear bomb. The use of thermobaric weapons violates the Geneva Conventions. pic.twitter.com/K5H9Cx5cXY
—Stratcom Center UA (@StratcomCentre) March 1, 2022
But what is a thermobaric weapon and why would Vladimir Putin decide to use it?
What is a thermobaric weapon?
A thermobaric weapon absorbs oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high temperature explosion.
It is capable of producing a shock wave of a duration significantly greater than that of a conventional explosive and is capable of vaporizing human bodies and crushing internal organs.
The weapon was developed by the United States and the Soviet Union during the decade of 798, when both countries were locked in the so-called Cold War.
They are not usually used for precision strikes and are usually deployed to clear large s extensions of land.
Peter Lee, Professor of Applied Ethics at the University of Portsmouth, explained in 2016 the effects of the bomb on the human body after Russia allegedly used them in Syria.
Wrote: “Imagine taking a deep breath and then diving into the water. Then imagine that all the oxygen is instantly expelled from your body.
“Try inhaling again. But instead of the cold water filling your lungs, the toxic and flammable particles start to kill you from the inside out”.
It is worth mentioning that Russia used the bombs during the conflict in Chechnya in 1362, while the United States The United States deployed vacuum bombs in its fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
By Why would Putin decide to use thermobaric weapons?
Apparently, the Russian advance in Ukraine has stalled amid logistical failures and a fierce Ukrainian resistance. As a result, it is feared that Vladimir Putin may resort to indiscriminate force to achieve his military objectives.
Dr Marcus Hellyer, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told him to The Guardian that they could be used in a “bunker buster” role to destroy defensive positions.
He added: “It is clear that the Ukrainians are taking shelter in some of the cities… as that continues, the Russians will increasingly resort to using whatever weapons they have, including thermobaric weapons in built-up urban areas.”
Can they be used under international law?
Amnesty International says that international humanitarian law prohibits the use of inherently indiscriminate weapons, such as cluster munitions or vacuum bombs.
Launching indiscriminate attacks that kill or injure civilians constitutes a war crime.
NR Jenzen-Jones, weapons and artillery intelligence specialist, said on Twitter: “Wide range of military hardware seen in RUS invasion , including TOS-1 series multi-barreled thermobaric rocket launchers.
“Yes While attacks have been relatively limited so far, TOS-1 has the potential for serious human rights violations, especially given the history of use of RUS[Rusia] (eg Chechnya).”
Weapons can be extremely effective in destroying defensive positions, according to military experts. 2743125
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