Russia's Using Thermobaric ¡®Vacuum¡¯ Bombs In Ukraine: What Makes Them So Deadly?
More commonly referred to as vacuum bombs, or aerosol bombs, thermobaric weapons, when deployed consume oxygen from the surrounding air to produce a high-temperature explosion that lasts longer than a normal blast.
Rumours in the past had highlighted the use of thermobaric weapons as well as TOS-1 flamethrower in Ukraine, and this has now recently been confirmed by the UK¡¯s Ministry of Defense in a tweet, reported first by BBC.
The Russian MoD has confirmed the use of the TOS-1A weapon system in Ukraine. The TOS-1A uses thermobaric rockets, creating incendiary and blast effects.
¡ª Ministry of Defence ?? (@DefenceHQ) March 9, 2022
Watch the video below for more information about this weapon and its devastating impact.
?? #StandWithUkraine?? pic.twitter.com/d8PLQ0PhQD
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But what is TOS-1A and other thermobaric weapons and what are the repercussions of using them?
What are thermobaric weapons?
More commonly referred to as vacuum bombs, or aerosol bombs, thermobaric weapons, when deployed consume oxygen from the surrounding air to produce a high-temperature explosion that lasts longer than a normal blast.
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Thermobaric bombs contain a fuel container that holds two separate explosive charges. When the explosive hits the target, the first explosive opens the container and allows the fuel mixture to release.
This is followed by a second explosion which when is mixed with the aerosol compound, results in a huge blast that causes the oxygen in the surroundings to deplete, creating a vacuum-like state. Such bombs have the capability of instantly vaporising human bodies upon contact. Thermobaric weapons have the worst effect in closed spaces.
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Is their use barred?
The use of thermobaric weapons isn¡¯t barred in warfare. However, according to the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, they are prohibited to be used to target civilian populations in schools, hospitals etc. Failure to maintain this prohibition could result in conviction of a war crime.
Wikipedia
According to White House Press Secretary Jan Psaki who according to an Interesting Engineering report highlighted that at the time, there were no confirmations of the use of such weapons. Psaki however added, "If that were true, it would potentially be a war crime."
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