8 Deadliest Weapons Russia Used Against Ukraine In War: Here's A List

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine grows, reports indicate that hundreds of people have died in both nations. Reports suggest the forces of both countries, have suffered greatly in the battle, however the majority of the casualties are Ukrainian citizens.

Burnt tanks, helicopter carcasses, charred buildings, there have been many images since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on February 24, which reflect the violence of the clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Here are some dangerous weapons that have been used by Russia against Ukraine:

1. Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles

Wikipedia

Kalibr missiles are cruise missiles, which differ from ballistic ones in that they do not follow a predefined trajectory, but are guided. They are in fact equipped with a solid-fuel engine, real wings and navigation systems that control the route to the target, which is therefore hit with great precision. The Russian army has used Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles to hit facilities throughout the country which is a precision weapon, but Ukrainian military facilities and government buildings apparently targeted by those missiles in Kyiv and Kharkiv are located close to residential areas by Russian troops, resulting in civilian casualties.

2. Soviet-designed Grad (Hail), Smerch (Tornado) and Uragan (Hurricane)

Agencies

These multiple rocket launchers are designed to fire a salvo of powerful rockets to destroy concentrations of troops or military equipment. Their use against populated areas inevitably causes heavy casualties and major damage to civilian infrastructure.

The BM-21 is one of the multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) used by the Russian army against Ukraine. One battalion of eighteen launchers are capable to deliver 720 rockets in a single volley. The rockets are unguided and have lower precision than typical artillery; they cannot be used in situations that call for pinpoint accuracy. To destroy a target, it relies on a large number of rockets spread across an area.

3. Cluster bombs

AP

Also known as cluster bombs or cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller submunitions. Commonly, a cluster bomb ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill personnel and destroy vehicles. During attacks, the weapons are prone to indiscriminate effects, especially in populated areas. Russia has been accused of using cluster bombs in Ukraine. If the charges hold to be true, then Vladimir Putin can be prosecuted by the ICC for war crimes. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, its troops have used cluster munitions in populated areas of Ukraine, at least two dozen times.

4. TOS-1A

Wikipedia

Mounted on a tank chassis, A heavy flamethrower system 'TOS-1A' is a multiple rocket launcher. Unguided artillery rockets with thermobaric warheads are used for firing. A senior U.S. defense official reportedly confirmed that Russia has sent TOS-1s in Ukraine during the war following a claim from Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, that Russian forces have used a ¡°vacuum bomb¡± in Ukraine.

5. Phosphorus bombs

AFP

White phosphorus weapons can inflict damage in two ways: burns and vapour inhalation, in addition to direct injuries caused by particles of their shells. White phosphorus (WP) when interacts with oxygen, ignites and burns, producing a dense white smoke with an unique garlic-like stench. Smoke also obstructs infrared vision and weapon-tracking systems, shielding military units from guided weapons like anti-tank guided missiles.

Russia accused of using phosphorus bombs. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's Markiyan Lubkivsky said that Putin was copying Russian methods from Syria and warned of "further catastrophic attacks" on Ukraine.

In a Facebook post, Serhiy Haidai, the chairman of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, said that "Russian war criminals'' had deployed phosphorus munitions in Popasna. "In Popasna, war criminals, Russian troops, used phosphorus weapons. "A force that is destructive, devastating, and unsightly."

6. Kinzhal missiles

AP

The first operational use of Russia's latest Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile in an attack against a military depot in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk area was announced by Russia's Ministry of Defense. The Kinzhal missile system, which means "dagger" in Russian, is said to be "unstoppable" by Western defence weapons.

Hypersonic missiles are considered the next generation of weapons since they could travel at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, which is approximately 760 miles (1,220 kilometres) per hour at sea level. They are supposed to be difficult to follow and intercept due to their speed, manoeuvrability, and altitude, making them practically unstoppable.

Kinzhal is a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile that travels at 10 times the pace of sound and therefore is capable of defeating air defence systems. Kinzhal is a word that means 'dagger.' The missile has a range of 1,500-2,000 kilometres and can hold a nuclear or conventional warhead of 480 kg.

7. Vacuum bombs

Sergei savostyanov tass via getty images

A vacuum bomb, or thermobaric weapon is one of the most brutal war weapon that exist, sucks in oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high-temperature explosion, typically producing a blast wave of a significantly longer duration than that of a conventional explosive and is capable of vaporizing human bodies.

it is a two-stage munition with the first charge distributing aerosols made up of very fine material from a carbon-based fuel to tiny metal particles. The second charge ignites that cloud creating a shock wave sucking up the oxygen and making a vacuum around its target. Experts have warned that the blast wave of a vacuum bomb lasts significantly longer than traditional explosives.

The blast wave can last for significantly longer than a conventional explosive and is capable of vaporising human bodies. Such weapons are used for a variety of purposes and come in a range of sizes. Russia is using them in a ¡°bunker-buster¡± role to destroy defensive positions against Ukraine. Extremely large, air-launched versions are designed to destroy caves and tunnel complexes.

8. War planes

Reuters

The Russian military has used 75 fixed-wing bomber planes and Mi-8 helicopter reportedly, to target Ukrainian airbase and other targets, according to Ukraine's Defence Ministry. These planes are capable of firing air-to-ground missiles or cluster bombs to inflict quick and significant damage to the Ukrainians. Apart from these, there are also reports of the use of Mi-8 choppers.

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